Noted Bhawaiya singer and journalist Shafiul Alam Raza passed away at his Pallabi residence in the city on March 17.

Shafiul Alam Raza learnt music in his childhood from his parents. He didn't get any institutional education in music but owed greatly to his teacher Ustad Nurul Islam Zahid from whom he got theoretical knowledge of music.

He was a special grade singer of Bangladesh Radio and first class singer of Bangladesh Television. He also performed a number of times in Tara Music and several other channels of India. He did many solo and group stage performances at home and abroad.

Raza was awarded the Greatest Singer of Bhawaiya by Bengal Foundation in their 'Search for genius at folk song'. As he was an eminent Bhawaiya singer, he got popularity in the TV channels and among the audience as the Bhawaiya Raza, Bhawaiya Rajkumar and Bhawaiya Feriwala.

He had released mixed album from Bengal Foundation and solo album titled Kabar Dekhiya Jan from Violin Media.

Raza established a band of singers, namely Bhawaiya in 2008. He also established a Bhawaiya school in 2011 in Dhaka. He imparted free training in certificate course to the learners for one year without any fee. He conducted several workshops in Bangladesh.

He worked as playback singer in Bangla films Uttorer Sur and Adam-Howa. Uttorer Sur had been awarded both nationally and internationally.

Raza was the chief reporter of news portal Priyo.com. Born in Chilmari of Kurigram, he worked at Daily Janakantha, Daily Jugantor and several other newspapers.