Dhaka: National award-winning singer Shammi Akhtar passed away here on Tuesday afternoon. She was 62.

Shammi who had long been suffering from cancer breathed her last around 4:20pm while being taken to a city hospital, said her husband Akramul Islam, also a singer, reports the UNB.

She left behind husband, a son and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn her death.

The noted singer had been suffering from cancer for the last five years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had also donated Tk 5 lakh for her treatment.

Shammi started her journey with radio in the 1970s while she made her maiden playback in the film in the 1980s with the movie, ‘Oshikhit’. 

Her notable songs are Dhaka Shohor Aisa Amar (Oshikkhito), Ami Tomar Bodhu, Chithi Asbe Jani Asbe (Aradhona), Lekhapora Korle (Kalmilata), Khelibo Premer Pasha, Nao Go Amare Kache Deke Nao, Bodhu Jedin Hoite  (Biroho Byatha), Tumi Amar Bondhu (Padma Meghna Jamuna) and  Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na (Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na).

Shammi won the National Film Award in 2010 for her playback in the film ‘Bhalobashlei Ghor Bandha Jay Na’.