Shafin Ahmed, celebrated as one of Bangladesh's most iconic band artists and former lead singer of the legendary band Miles, passed away on Thursday (July 25) morning in the USA.
The 63-year-old breathed his last while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Virginia at 6:50 am Bangladesh time, said his brother Hamin Ahmed.
Shafin Ahmed is survived by his wife and three children.
"Shafin had recently traveled to the US for concert programs. He was scheduled to perform in Virginia on July 20, but the concert was canceled due to his illness. He was admitted to the hospital that day and was placed on life support as his organs began to fail. Unfortunately, he could not be revived," Hamin Ahmed said.
The singer died from heart and kidney failure, as reported by the Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community (BBMFC).
Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, Shafin Ahmed joined Miles in 1979.
Alongside his brother Hamin Ahmed, he initially performed as an acoustic guitarist for Miles before becoming the lead singer and bassist in 1991.
After moving to Dhaka as a child, Shafin Ahmed began his musical journey at nine, learning Nazrul Sangeet from his renowned parents. He was influenced by Western music while studying in England, alongside his brother, after completing his schooling at St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
As the vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bass guitarist for Miles from 1979, Shafin Ahmed left the band in 2009, rejoined in 2014, left again in 2017, and rejoined for his final stint in 2018 before permanently leaving in 2021.
Despite creative disputes with his bandmates, Shafin Ahmed contributed to every Miles album, from "Miles" (1982) to "Proborton" (2016). After his 2009 departure, he formed his band, Rhythm of Life, in 2010, which lasted until 2014.
Shafin Ahmed became one of Bangladesh's most beloved singers, known for hits like "Aj Jonmodin Tomar," often considered the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by Prince Mahmud, the song first appeared on Prince's mixed album "Daag Theke Jay" (2004).
As the frontman of Miles, Shafin Ahmed is celebrated for popular tracks such as "Phiriye Dao," "Dhiki Dhiki," "Neela," "Chad Tara Surjo," "Ki Jaadu," and "Jani Tumi."
He also released several solo albums, including "Tomakey" (1987), "Pagla Ghonti" (1998), "Chobi Ar Sritigulo" (1999), "Best of Shafin Ahmed" (2001), "Kotodin Dekhina Tomay" (2006), "Virus" (2006), "Harano Shukh" (2007), "My Love Songs" (2010), and "Mone Pore Aj" (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016).
BDST: 1000 HRS, JULY 25, 2024
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