Legendary Bangladeshi singer Ferdousi Rahman has added another milestone to her distinguished career with the publication of her autobiography, Loke Bole Prem Ami Boli Jwala (“People Call It Love, I Call It Passion”). The book was officially launched on Tuesday at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, during a ceremony attended by some of the country’s most respected figures from the music and cultural community, including veteran singer Syed Abdul Hadi and acclaimed vocalist Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa.

The title of the memoir is drawn from one of Rahman’s best-known songs, Loke Bole Prem. Explaining the inspiration behind the name, the celebrated artist said that, for her, “love” symbolises an enduring devotion to music, while the “passion” or “burning” referenced in the title reflects the years of discipline, sacrifice and relentless dedication required to sustain a lifelong artistic journey.

Rahman said the autobiography is not simply a record of her own achievements. Instead, it captures the stories of countless people, memorable events and the social environment that shaped her life. She noted that readers would discover vivid descriptions of Old Dhaka, including traditions that have gradually disappeared, historic customs, local cuisine and everyday lifestyles that once defined the city’s cultural identity.

During the launch event, Syed Abdul Hadi reflected on his decades-long association with the singer. He recalled that their friendship began in 1958 when they enrolled at the University of Dhaka. Their professional partnership deepened in 1965 when they recorded their first duet for the film Dak Babu. Hadi observed that Rahman benefited enormously from growing up in a household immersed in music, as the daughter of legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed. Her early exposure to many of the Indian subcontinent’s leading musicians, he said, played a significant role in shaping her artistic career.

Singer Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa described Ferdousi Rahman as the “Himalayas of Bengali music”, praising her rare ability to perform across a remarkable range of musical genres. From modern Bengali songs and Nazrul Sangeet to classical music and folk traditions, Rahman’s versatility has earned her admiration from audiences across generations.

The ceremony opened with singer Anupama Mukti performing two of Rahman’s timeless songs, Loke Bole Prem and Ami Sagorer Neel Noyone Mekhechi, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia that reflected the enduring popularity of the veteran artist’s work.

Born on 28 June 1941 in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, Ferdousi Rahman received her earliest musical training from her father, Abbasuddin Ahmed, one of the most influential figures in Bengali folk music. At just six years of age, she made her broadcasting debut when her song was aired on Radio Pakistan in 1947. Following the Partition of the Indian subcontinent, her family settled in Dhaka, where her musical career flourished.

Rahman began her playback singing career in 1960 with the film Asiya. During the 1960s and 1970s, she lent her voice to approximately 250 films, establishing herself as one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated playback singers. She also became part of broadcasting history by performing on the inaugural transmission of Dhaka Television in 1964.

Beyond Bangladesh, Rahman has introduced Bengali music to audiences in countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and Canada. She later inspired countless aspiring singers through the popular Bangladesh Television programme Esho Gan Shikhi, becoming a respected mentor for younger generations.

Her contribution to music has been recognised with many of Bangladesh’s highest honours. She received the National Film Award for Best Music Director in 1977 and has since been honoured with the Independence Award, the Ekushey Padak, the Nasiruddin Gold Medal, the Bangladesh Film Journalists’ Award, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award and the Churulia Nazrul Gold Medal, among numerous other distinctions.

With Loke Bole Prem Ami Boli Jwala, Ferdousi Rahman offers readers far more than the story of an accomplished singer. The memoir serves as a personal reflection on an extraordinary artistic life while preserving memories of Old Dhaka, its traditions and the cultural landscape that shaped one of the most influential voices in Bengali music.