Rezwana Choudhury Bannya

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya is a renowned Bangladeshi singer and exponent of Rabindra Sangeet, a genre of music inspired by Rabindranath Tagore. Born on January 13, 1957, in Rangpur, Bangladesh, she began her musical journey under the tutelage of her uncle Abdul Ali and later trained at institutions like Chhayanaut and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts in Dhaka. Bannya received a scholarship to study at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, where she honed her skills in Rabindra Sangeet under notable mentors such as Kanika Bandyopadhyay. She holds a master's degree in fine arts from Santiniketan and has completed her Ph.D. in Rabindra Sangeet from the University of Dhaka.

Bannya is celebrated for her contributions to music and education. She founded "Shurer Dhara," a music school in Dhaka dedicated to teaching Rabindra Sangeet, and initiated the "Music for Development" project to empower underprivileged children through music. Her accolades include Bangladesh's highest civilian award, the Independence Day Award (2016), and India's Padma Shri (2024). Her recent works include albums like "Ektuku Chhoya Lage" and "Amar Bagane Eto Phool," showcasing her enduring passion for Tagore's music.