It has long been a common complaint of Nazrul exponents, artistes and aficionados that the National Poet has never been given his due -- not in his lifetime, and certainly not now.

Three artistes who are making a name for themselves shared their views with The Daily Star on why or how Nazrul is being sidelined and impediments Nazrul singers face:

"The biggest issue we, Nazrul singers, face is ensuring that certain Nazrul songs are rendered according to their original tunes," says Anup Barua. A 'Sangeet Visharad' degree holder (from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, India), Anup has been teaching classical music at Chhayanat since 1998. His album of Nazrul songs, Jago Kholo Go Aankhi, received much acclaim.

"After Nazrul Institute was established and the organisation started collecting and researching on original records, noted Nazrul exponents and veteran artistes came to an understanding that tunes and at times lyrics of several Nazrul songs had been distorted over the years," continues Anup, "it took almost a decade to familiarise music students, teachers and artistes all over the country with the authentic tunes."

Zannat-E-Ferdousi, a talented upcoming Nazrul artiste says, "This realisation, as needed as it is, has created a mass confusion. Nazrul sangeet by legendary artiste Manabendra Mukharjee are virtually banned now; apparently the tunes had been distorted." Zannat, now a researcher on adibashis in Bangladesh, completed five-year courses on Nazrul sangeet from Jago Art Centre and Chhayanat. She had received extensive training from Nilufer Yasmin, considered an institution on Nazrul songs. Zannat's album of Nazrul sangeet, Neel Jamunar Jol, produced by Bengal Foundation, was launched recently.

"There are several Nazrul songs that were once popular but due to the whole debate about 'authentic tunes', we cannot sing them any more. I have been in situations where young singers were stopped in the middle of renditions because apparently they were following the 'distorted' tunes. The irony is after the 'sermon' no one bothers to teach these singers the authentic tunes. I doubt it that majority of Nazrul artistes in the country know the authentic tunes. I'm afraid without any exposure these songs will be lost into oblivion," says Zannat.

"I was disqualified at a few singing competitions for rendering 'distorted' versions of Nazrul songs," remembers Sumona Bardhan. Sumona, originally from Rajshahi, is fast attaining popularity for her adhunik songs. With over 17 years of training in classical music, Sumona refuses to categorise herself according to any specific genre.

"I'm one of many artistes who pick up tunes of Nazrul songs from albums of seasoned artistes. Among the different styles, Nazrul's Kabyogeeti appeals to me the most. Nazrul Institute's drive to familiarise the authentic tunes is certainly commendable. However, many of these records are literally inaudible. I learnt a thumri, Bhanga Mon, listening to Indrani Sen's rendition. I tried to listen to the original record, rendered by Kanan Debi. Due to the sorry state of the record, I couldn't understand the lyrics, let alone the taal and grammar," says Sumona.

"Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad (NSSP) was formed in 2003 and since then the organisation has been working to bring together Nazrul artistes from all corners of the country. However, I feel, the collective efforts are not organised," says Anup.

"Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad (RSSP) had Waheedul Haque as a driving force who went to every nook and corner of the country, grooming young singers and giving all the Tagore artistes a platform. We desperately need a guiding light like him in NSSP.

There is no lack of talent among Nazrul artistes but we don't have a proper platform that will guide young ones and bring together everyone," says Zannat.

"As an artiste trained in Rajshahi, I feel that there are not enough skilled Nazrul sangeet trainers outside Dhaka. Why must everything be Dhaka-centric?" -- questions Sumona.

"There is an unmistakable reluctance and lack of interest among production houses and TV channels when it comes to Nazrul sangeet. Major production houses never show any interest in working with upcoming Nazrul artistes; we often hear, 'These songs are too slow. They won't sell...etc.'

"There's also this popular concept that unless you demonstrate kalowati, you're not skilled enough to be a Nazrul singer. I remember an analogy my teacher Nilufer Yasmin used: 'If you look good in light trinkets, why would you want to wear jarowa?'" says Zannat.

The singer goes on to point out the prevalent lack of interest in Nazrul among the TV channels, "BTV airs programmes featuring Nazrul songs at odd times, at 5:20pm for instance. How many working individuals watch TV at 5:20pm? Songs and plays written by him, namely anything by Nazrul is always left out from the 5-day long fêtes on all TV channels on both Eids."

So the question remains, what needs to be done and by whom, to honour our National Poet with more than just two days of special programmes, a university and a street?