A FUND RAISER FOR LUCKY AKHAND

“Ei Nil Monihaar, ei shornali din-e tomay diye gelem, sudhu mon-e rekho,” go the lines of one of Lucky Akhand's most popular songs. One of many, Lucky Akhand's inimitable style and often poignant lyrics, make him one of the most renowned singers around.  

Undoubtedly a bright star of Bangla music, Lucky Akhand has many avatars; a singer, composer and creator of modern Bangla songs and an artiste of war-time radio station Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Lucky Akhand has, for months now, been fighting a long battle with lung cancer. Rangamati Genguli Shilpi Goshthi (RGSG) and the locals of Rangamati arranged a concert for Lucky Akhand to raise funds for his treatment. The concert was held at the Rangamati Cultural Institute on August 12. 

RGSG took the initiative of hosting the programme. The popular band, Genguli, hailing from Chittagong Hill Tracts, performed at the concert alongside noted artistes -- Chakma Raja Barrister Debashish Roy, Kalyan Chakma, Rupayan Dewan, Uttam Dewan and new generation artistes Koyel Chakma, Bappi Chakma, Keka Chakma and Ankur Chakma. The concert continued till 10 pm on the day.

Protul Dewan, the coordinator of the musical evening, said that the tickets were priced ranging from 200 taka to 500 taka, but the generosity of the attendees weren't restricted to these amounts, as many lovers and fans of Lucky Akhand, were willing to contribute more. 

“On the occasion, most of the featured artistes were paid nothing. They came to perform in the concert to raise a sizable fund,” he added. 

The popular musician, Lucky Akhand, was not only famous in the music world but also played an important role in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

According to sources, the 61-year old singer should have returned to Bangkok in June this year for five chemotherapy sessions, but couldn't due to financial constraints.     

The singer initially sought no charity; but now seeks financial help both from the government and his large fan following.

In 1971, he joined Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, a radio station that remained engaged throughout the Liberation War time and kept up the morale of Freedom Fighters through patriotic songs, sources said.

Rupayan Dewan, secretary of Genguli Shilpi Goshthi, had a few parting words. “Today, we have gathered here for Lucky Akhand. Our only goal now is to save him,” he said. 

“We have lost quite a few artistes to diseases; we will no longer allow this,” he added emphatically.