Proloy Chaki, a famous Bangladeshi singer and a local leader of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, died while in police custody on Sunday 9 pm, according to multiple media reports. Chaki passed away at the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in northern Bangladesh, said a Daily Star report. The singer had been transferred there from jail after his health took a turn for the worse after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Health problems behind the bars
According to prison authorities, the singer was already struggling with several long-term illnesses, including heart disease, chronic high blood pressure, and diabetes. Speaking to the news agency ANI over the phone, Pabna District Jail Superintendent Omor Faruque explained that Chaki’s condition became critical while he was being held at the facility.
“Praloy Chaki was dealing with severe complications from his heart issues and diabetes,” Faruque said. He noted that the prison medical team first moved him to Pabna Sadar Hospital. However, when his vitals didn’t stabilize, he was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Friday night. Despite being under the care of hospital doctors, he died the next day. While his medical history is clear, the specific circumstances surrounding his arrest and the time spent in custody are still being looked into.
A Legendary singer of the 80s and 90s
For music fans in Bangladesh, Chaki’s death marks the end of an era. He was a major star in the 1980s and 90s, reaching nearly every home in the country through his performances on Bangladesh Television (BTV). Back then, BTV was the only state-run channel, and getting a slot on their music programs was the highest honor an artist could achieve.
He was best known for his powerful, soulful voice and his frequent collaborations with his brother, Moloy Chaki. The “Chaki Brothers” were a staple of the national music scene for years. Proloy wasn’t just a singer; he was a cultural icon whose emotional songs were loved by both the youth and the older generation.
Political role in Pabna
Outside of his music, Proloy Chaki was a known leader in local politics. He was a prominent member of the Awami League and served as the Cultural Affairs Secretary for the party’s Pabna District unit.
In this role, he was a key organizer, often using his cultural background to lead party activities and promote local music and arts. His supporters remember him as a leader who stayed connected to his roots in Pabna, balancing his life as a famous artist with his responsibilities as a political worker.