Patriotism unlimited
Samar Das played a major role as an artiste in the War of Liberation in 1971. He was one of the chief organisers of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the clandestine radio station that inspired millions of Bengalees under Pakistani occupation. He was appointed the chief music director of the radio station. During that time he composed several patriotic songs that became immensely popular. Among these were “Purbo digontey shurjo uthechhey,” “Bhebo na go ma tomar chhelera” and “Nongor tolo tolo shomoy je holo holo”. He composed the signature tune of the newly founded Bangladesh Betar after Independence.
When Tagore's “Amar Sonar Bangla” was chosen as the national anthem of Bangladesh, Das transcribed the song into Western notation for orchestration, as is common for national anthems.
Das composed music for over 50 Bangla and Urdu films in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Songs composed by him from the Indian Bangla film “Lottery” attained huge popularity. Das also holds the record of being the music director of the first Bengali film -- “Mukh O Mukhosh” -- made in Pakistan. Other acclaimed scores under his direction were from the films “Aasia” and “Nabarun”. He composed the haunting melodies for one of the first films made in independent Bangladesh, “Dhirey Bahey Meghna”.
Samar Das was also recognised as a musician at the international level. He directed music at the South Asian International Music Conference in 1954. In 1964 he directed and produced the music for a Bangla ballet-drama “Sonar Shabuj G(n)aye,” performed at the Afro-Asian Music Conference in Lahore.
Das' endeavours in preserving songs of the Liberation War were also remarkable. In 1972 he directed music for a long play album containing 26 patriotic songs released by HMV Kolkata. Eminent artistes from both West Bengal and Bangladesh took part in the rearrangement of some the classics. Later, at the initiative of Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust, Das compiled popular songs of the war period in two LP discs titled “Mora Ekti Phulke Banchabo Bole Juddho Kori”.
It is estimated that he composed music for over 2,000 songs aired on radio and television.
In recognition of his contribution to our music, he was awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak and the Swadhinata Padak. He died on September 25, 2001 and was buried at the Christian cemetery in Wari, Dhaka.
Through his classic patriotic tunes still aired on radio, TV and performed by numerous artistes, Samar Das lives on in our collective memory.
Compiled by Cultural Correspondent
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