Timir Nandy sings on

Timir Nandy has been a tour de force in the world of music -- having started singing at the age of three, the singer was part of the nationalist force in Shadhin Banglar Betar Kendra, and went on to pursue education in music in the then Soviet Union. Since his return, he has been passionately devoted to teaching music. Timir Nandy shared with The Daily Star the experiences which helped shape his life as a performer, as well as the inspiration behind the song.

Tell us about your memories of the Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro, and your time in Soviet Union?

Timir Nandy: During the Liberation War, I was still a young boy who was about to sit for his matriculation (secondary school) exams. My elder brother had gotten married at Kurigram, and while travelling there, we were stuck there due to the ensuing war. After travelling around in a few villages, we made our way to Kolkata. While in Bangladesh, I told my mother that I wanted to join the Mukti Bahini, and she suggested I join Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I found their premises in Kolkata and joined the team. I was also part of a committee called Shoronarthi Shilpi Goshthi. Asaduzzaman Noor, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Fakir Alamgir, Dipa Khandokar and many other eminent artistes were also part of this committee.

Soon after, I acquired a scholarship to study music in erstwhile Soviet Union. I traveled to Rostov-on-Don around 1975 looking to learn piano. I performed with a band in multiple languages there. I then traveled to St. Petersburg where I learned staff notation, something I teach my students today. I returned in 1983, and after working in some advertising companies, I eventually joined Green Herald Int'l School where I have been teaching music for 26 years.

What is the driving force behind your teaching, and what vision do you have for the younger generation?

Timir Nandy: I try to instill within my students understanding of not just local songs, but also songs native to other countries. I have also formed a choir group. I also teach composition with staff notation, as this form of learning is something not widely practiced in the sub-continent.

You recently produced an English version of a Kazi Nazrul Islam song “Dao Shourjo”. What has been the inspiration behind it?

Timir Nandy: “Dao Shourjo” is a prayer song. It was translated into English by Tito Chowdhury. He approached me one day with the translated lyrics and expressed his desire for me to perform it with my choir. It was an immense responsibility: the song being a Nazrul Sangeet -- and an arduous one, I had to enable young students to sing it correctly. It was first aired on BTV. My children are all non-professional singers, yet they had the courage and spirit to undertake this project, and words cannot express the pride I feel for them.