Abdul Alim's musical legacy
Abdul Alim (1931-1974), a legend of folk music, possessed a melodious voice, yet to be surpassed by any other singer of our country. His songs epitomised the very essence of Bengali folk culture and mesmerised listeners across the country. Indeed, he played an important role in popularising this form of music beyond borders.
Today (September 5) marks the 41st death anniversary of the artiste.
Alim migrated from Murshidabad (West Bengal) to Dhaka after partition (1947), and joined the Dhaka Radio Station as a staff artiste. From a very young age Alim's musical senses were honed from listening to gramophone records. By the age of 14, he had already recorded two songs for the company. While performing songs at the Alia Madrassa in Calcutta (now Kolkata), he gained immense popularity among connoisseurs of music.
In Dhaka, he took lessons from Ustad Mohammed Hossain Khosru for some time. At the All Pakistan music conference in Lahore, Alim was awarded five gold medals for his remarkable performances and contributions to music. He recorded songs for “Mukh O Mukhosh”, the first film to be produced in the erstwhile East Pakistan. Subsequently, he continued to record songs at a prolific rate.
Folk songs are inherent treasures of the riverine Bangladeshi culture. The songs express hopes and frustrations of the young hearts and uphold the life and culture of different regions. Bhatiali songs, sung mainly in riverine regions of Mymensingh and the low lands of Sylhet, are meant to replicate the energy and timelessness of the rivers that have been flowing from time immemorial. People who have heard Alim's presentation of “Naiya Rey Nayer Badaam Tuila”, “Duarey Aishachey Palki”, “Holudia Pakhi Shonar Boron”, “Amare Shajay Dio Nowshar Shajey”, “Shob Shakhire Par Korite Nebo Ana Ana”, and countless other songs are still at awe of his presentation and all-encompassing voice modulation.
He recorded over 300 Gramophone records and sang playbacks in over 100 films. He won the National Award (1974) posthumously for playback in “Shujan Shokhi” directed by Khan Ataur Rahman.