Alam, Ava

Alam, Ava (1947-1976) classical singer, nee Ava De, was born in madaripur in greater faridpur on 26 December 1947, but later settled in Mymensingh. She married Tariqul Alam, a reputed lyricist, and took the name Ava Alam. She began her music lessons with her father, Haripada De, and then studied classical music with Mithun De, a reputed musician of mymensingh. From 1959 she started taking part in classical music programmes at the Dhaka centre of Radio Pakistan. She also performed on different occasions in West Pakistan and India. She was attached to many cultural organisations, including the bangladesh shilpakala academy (National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts), Satsangeet Prasar Samiti, chhayanaut, Altaf Mahmud Sangeet Academy, Atiq Sangeet Academy. She participated in the All-Pakistan Music Conference and enthralled the audience with her one-hour performance of raga Dhaneshri. The Bangladesh Government awarded her the Ekushey Padak (posthumously, 1978) in recognition of her contributions to music. She died on 21 November 1976. [Mobarak Hossain Khan] [Khan, Mobarak Hossain former DG, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy]