Rabindra Sangeet maestro Sanjida Khatun passes away

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent and Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun passed away at Square Hospital at 3:10 AM on Tuesday due to age-related complications. 

She was 92 years old.  

Her daughter-in-law, Laisa Ahmad Lisa, confirmed the news of her demise.  

Sanjida Khatun was a pioneer in Bangladesh's cultural landscape, using music not just as an art form but as a tool for social enlightenment. A recipient of the Ekushey Padak, she was a guiding force in promoting Rabindra Sangeet and preserving Bengali heritage.  

In 2021, her contributions were further recognized when she was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor.  

Born on April 4, 1933, Sanjida Khatun played a vital role in upholding liberal values through her work and philosophy. She was among the founders of the Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha during the 1971 Liberation War, using cultural resistance as a means of inspiring freedom fighters.  

In the early 1960s, she co-founded Chhayanaut, which grew under her leadership into a globally acclaimed institution for classical music and dance.  

Her lifelong dedication to music and culture has left an everlasting impact on Bangladesh’s artistic heritage.