Eminent folk singer, flautist Bari Siddiqui passes away

Eminent folk singer, composer and flautist Bari Siddiqui is dead.

The 63-year-old breathed his last at 2:30am Friday at Dhaka’s Square Hospital, his son Sabbir Siddiqui told Glitz.

The veteran musician was admitted to hospital with heart and kidney complications on Nov 17 and put under intensive care for seven days under the supervision of Dr Abdul Wahab, a cardiologist.

However, his condition did not improve.

His mortal remains were taken to the Dhaka University Central Mosque where his fans and cultural personalities took part in a Janaza or funeral prayer.

Another funeral prayer was held at the Bangladesh Television premises afterwards.

His remains were taken to Netrokona later on the day and he was buried at Challisha Kali village after a funeral prayer at the Netrokona Government College field, said Liton Mia, the caretaker of his home ‘Baulbarhi’ there.

Siddiqui’s musical talent became widely recognised in the 1990s when he performed as a playback singer in Humayun Ahmed’s films.

Many of Siddiqui’s film songs, mostly folk-based and spiritual, are still popular among music lovers. 

Siddiqui was born in 1954 in Netrokona. He took lessons in music at an early age in his family. He also trained under artiste Gopal Dutta in his early days. Aminur Rahman, Dabir Khan, Panna Lal Ghosh were some of his teachers as well.

Ustad Aminur Rahman offered to coach him after his performance at a concert. The training continued for six years.

Siddiqui got involved with the Netrokona Shilpakala Academy in the 1970s. He started studying Dhrupad, a genre in classical music, under the guidance of Ustad Gopal Dutta.

Eventually the singer started taking interest in flute and took training.

Siddiqui received guidance from Indian guru Pandit Bhiji Kanard in Pune in the 1990s, and upon return to Bangladesh, he started composing songs blending folk and Dhrupad.

The late director and writer Humayun Ahmed was impressed by Siddiqui when he played flute on his birthday at his home in 1993. He found songs of Rashid Uddin Baul and Ukil Munshi to be the best in Siddiqui’s voice.

Siddiqui touched the hearts of millions after his song ‘amar gaye joto dukkho shoy’ (the sadness that comes upon me) was broadcast on BTV.

Siddiqui’s songs from Ahmed’s box office hit ‘Srabon Megher Din’ became widely popular in 1999. The singer took part in the World Flute Summit held in Geneva the same year.

Siddiqui is also proud holder of a dozen albums.