Papia Sarwar, one of the celebrated singers in our country, passed away on Thursday morning at 8am in a private hospital in Dhaka. Having been hospitalised for several days, her condition deteriorated, leading to her being placed on a ventilator. On Wednesday morning, the ventilator support was removed, marking the end of her remarkable journey.
As news of her passing spread, tributes poured in from colleagues, admirers, and peers who remembered her not only as an extraordinary artist but also as an exceptional human being. Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya recalled her first meeting with Papia Sarwar in 1975. At the time, Papia—then known as Papia Rahman—was a third-year student at Sangit Bhavana (Institute of Dance, Drama, and Music) at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, where Bannya had just begun her musical journey.
Reflecting on their early encounters, Bannya fondly remembered Papia's unique singing style and distinctive fashion sense. "From the very start, Papia stood out," Bannya shared. "She was exceptional, even back then.
" Bannya also reminisced about the bond they shared, noting the profound influence Papia—affectionately known as "Pappu Khala"—had on her life. "When Papia graduated and returned to Bangladesh, she began her career as a professional singer," Bannya said. "She had a distinctive way of practising riyaz, which we juniors tried to emulate.
" Papia's passing has left a deep void in Bannya's life. "Even though I knew.
