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Bangladesh’s pop guru laid to rest
Draped in the national standard, the coffin of the pop guru was brought to the Mirpur Intellectuals graveyard where he was buried after Asr Prayers
- By Anisur Rahman, Correspondent
- Published: 18:29 June 6, 2011
Dhaka: Tens of thousands of mourners paid their last respects as Bangladesh’s pop legend and 1971 veteran Azam Khan was laid to rest a day after his death.
Draped in the national standard, the coffin of the pop guru was brought to the Mirpur Intellectuals graveyard where he was buried after Asr Prayers.
A contingent of armed police offered the honour guard while the last post was played this morning as the body was kept in front of Khan’s Jasimuddin Road residence at Kamalapur where his first namaj-e-janaza was held in line with Islamic rituals.
Tens of thousands of grief stricken people, including young boys and old men, devout Muslims and smart office executives with flowers stood in long queues to pay their rich tributes offering wreaths as the body was brought there and kept there for nearly two hours until 12.30 pm.
Wreaths were also offered on the coffin of the 61-year old Khan on behalf of President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by their special aides.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, ruling Awami League general secretary and local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farooque and cultural activists were among to join the mourners to pay tributes to Khan.
Thousands joined in prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed soul as his second Janaza was held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zohar Prayers.
Khan, who inspired with his unique music style, lost his long battle for life at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Sunday a year after he was diagnosed with oral cancer.
Khan shot to fame in the 1970s after he revolutionised Bangladesh’s staid music scene with pop and rock numbers as he contributed to Bangla modern song by giving it a new dimension, with a matchless blending of global trend and the country’s cultural heritage.
But he was not even fascinated by the glittering dynasty of stardom unlike many other celebrities as he had led the life of a simple down to earth man, so was his dream, centering this country, its people and society. “I do not want to own a home, a car or any other property, but wish to do something for the wellbeing of Bangladesh and its people,” the pop king told a recent TV documentary.
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