Bengali music comprises a long tradition of religious and secular song-writing over a period of almost a millennium. Composed with lyrics in the Bengali language, Bengali music spans a wide variety of styles.
Lalon, also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji and titled Fakir, Shah, was a prominent Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer born in Jhenaidah, Bengal Subah. Regarded as an icon of Bengali culture, he inspired and influenced many philosophers, poets and social thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Allen Ginsberg. Lalon's philosophy of humanity rejects all distinctions of caste, class, and creed and takes stand against theological conflicts and racism. It denies all worldly affairs in search of the soul and embodied the socially transformative role of sub-continental Bhakti and Sufism.
Tanvir Mokammel is a Bangladeshi filmmaker and writer. He is the recipient of Ekushey Padak in 2017. He won Bangladesh National Film Awards total ten times for the films Nodir Naam Modhumoti (1995), Chitra Nodir Pare (1999) and Lalsalu (2001). He is the current director of Bangladesh Film Institute in Dhaka.
Shahnaz Rahmatullah was a Pakistani and later Bangladeshi singer. Her notable songs are ''Prothom Bangladesh Amar Sesh Bangladesh'', Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye, Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay and Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha. She was the recipient of the Ekushey Padak in 1992 and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film Chhutir Phande (1990).
Ferdausi Rahman also known as Ferdausi Begum is a Bangladeshi playback singer. She is the daughter of folk singer Abbas Uddin. She sang some popular film songs for Pakistani films also in the 1960s especially working with the music composer Robin Ghosh in film Chakori released in 1967. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1977 and Independence Day Award in 1995 by the Government of Bangladesh. In addition, she was awarded the lifetime achievement award of the National Film Award in the year 2015.
Nilufar Yasmin was a Bangladeshi singer of Nazrul Sangeet, Rajanikanta Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti and Atul Prasdi genre. She was the fourth of five Yasmin sisters of Bangladesh music. Her siblings are Farida Yasmin, Fauzia Yasmin, Nazma Yasmin, and Sabina Yasmin. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2004 by the Government of Bangladesh. She won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in the film Shuvoda (1986).
Idris Ali, known by his stage name Ilias Kanchan, is a Bangladeshi actor and activist. He appeared in more than 350 films during the 1980s and 1990s. He earned Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement (2021), Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Parineeta (1986) and Best Supporting Actor for Shasti (2005). He is a road safety activist in Bangladesh. He was awarded Ekushey Padak for his social service by the Government of Bangladesh in 2018. He was the former President of Bangladesh Film Artists' Association, the organisation of local film artists.
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi is a Bangladeshi musicologist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1995 by the Government of Bangladesh. Abbasi is the youngest son of folk singer-composer Abbas Uddin Ahmed. As of 2016, he serves as a senior research scholar at the "Kazi Nazrul Islam and Abbasuddin Research and Study Centre" of Independent University, Bangladesh.
Fatema Tuz Zohra is a Bangladeshi Nazrul Geeti singer. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2006 by the government of Bangladesh. She sings Nazrul songs and modern songs. She has acted in television dramas, and performed in various programs. She has also published a book of poems, a book of two rhymes, a novel, a collection of stories and columns and a music book with Nazrul's songs.
Nashid Kamal is a Bangladeshi vocalist, writer and professor of demography. She is the eldest granddaughter of Bengali folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed. Kamal is widely regarded as a Nazrul exponent. For her contributions to Nazrul's works, she has received awards including the Nazrul Award from the Nazrul Academy in 2009 and Nazrul Padak from the Nazrul Institute in 2014.
Shabnam Mustari is a Bangladeshi Nazrul Geeti singer. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1997 and Nazrul Award in 2014 by the Government of Bangladesh. Her notable songs include `"Laili Tomar Esheche Phiria"`, `"Amai Nohe Go Bhalobasho Mor Gaan"`, `"Piya Piya Piya"`, and `"Tumi Shuniye Cheyona"`.
Khoda Box was a Bangladeshi Baul singer and composer. He was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 1990 for his contribution to Baul music.
Chandana Mazumdar is a Bangladeshi folk singer of the Lalon Geeti genre. She won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in the film Monpura (2009).
Rizia Parveen is a Bangladeshi singer. She specializes in play back singing and has done over 600 playback songs. Her popular playback songs includes "Tumi Amar Chad Ami Chaderi Alo", "Premer Naame Mitthey Bolona", "Sotti Kotha Gopon Korona", "Sobar Jibone Prem Ase, Tai Sobai Bhalobase" and "Oh Hero Oh Hero I Love You".
Rawshan Ara Mustafiz is a Bangladeshi singer of Nazrul Sangeet genre. She was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2006 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Ustad Julhas Uddin Ahmed was a Bangladeshi Nazrul Geeti singer and teacher. He was awarded Ekushey Padak for his special contribution in Nazrul Geeti by the government of Bangladesh in 2017.
Nodir Naam Modhumoti is a 1996 Bangladeshi Bengali language film directed by Tanvir Mokammel. The film, produced and distributed by Kino-Eye Films, stars a notable cast with Tauquir Ahmed, Aly Zaker, Raisul Islam Asad, Sara Zaker, and Afsana Mimi in prominent etc. It won 20th Bangladesh National Film Awards for the Best Story, Best Dialogue and Best Male Playback Singer.
Khalid Hossain was a Bangladeshi Nazrul Geeti singer. In recognition of his contribution in music, the government of Bangladesh awarded him the country's second highest civilian award Ekushey Padak in 2000.
Abu Zafar was a Bangladeshi lyricist, music composer, poet and singer. His notable songs include Ei Padma Ei Meghna, Tomra Bhulei Gecho Mallikadir Naam, Nindar Kata Jodi Na Bidhilo Gaye, Ami Helen Kingba Momtajke Dekhini, and Tumi Raat Ami Raatjaga Pakhi.
