Star Melodies' tribute to Khandaker Nurul Alam and Robin Ghosh
The recent installment of Star Melodies, a series of regular musical programmes highlighting the heritage, legacy and opulence of Bangla music, was held on April 23 at Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct, The Daily Star Centre.
As homage to two great composers -- Khandaker Nurul Alam and Robin Ghosh-both of whom passed away earlier this year -the soiree was held befittingly with performances by four artistes -- Parveen Sultana, Nasima Shaheen, Aloke Kumar Sen and Sabbir Zaman--who rendered evergreen songs of the duo.
Eminent personalities including noted lyricist KG Mustafa, eminent filmmaker Morshedul Islam, media personality Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, Kishwar, wife of Khandaker Nuril Alam, thespian Tabibul Islam and Jamal Abedin spoke.
Eminent singer-exponent and Editor of Star Arts and Entertainment Sadya Afreen Mallick and music buff Iftekharul Islam anchored the programme.
“Khandakar Nurul Alam was my classmate both at school and university. My songwriting career started with the inspiration of Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal. During our university days, Nurul Alam composed songs and motivated me to write songs. I started writing songs for films. I worked together with Robin Ghosh in the film 'Rajdhanir Buk-e'. I wrote the song 'Tomarey Legechhe Etoje Bhalo' while Ghosh composed it. My career reached its peak when I was working with Robin,” said KG Mostafa.
“About preservation of his songs, Khandaker Nurul Alam would say, 'Someday my songs will be iterated from generation to generation. That I think is the best way to preserve my songs',” recalled Kishwar, wife of Khandaker Nurul Alam.
“Robin Ghosh always felt that his immense talent and experience of music was unutilised after his return from Pakistan for good. A successful music composer who single-handedly created timeless songs for both Bengali and Urdu films competing with Bollywood, remained idle and none could utilise his talents for many years. Once he remorsefully said that his body should not be taken to the BFDC (Bangladesh Film Development Corporation) premises after his death,” mentioned Jamal Abedin, an expatriate music enthusiast living in USA.
Stalwarts of Bangla music, Khandaker Nurul Alam and Robin Ghosh are the two music creators who strongly represent the golden era of Bangla Music of three decades – 60s, 70s and 80s, said Iftekharul Islam.
The first half saw the rendition of 10 songs composed by Khandakar Nurul Alam followed by 10 popular songs created by Robin Ghosh. Nasima Shaheen set off the soiree with the song “Akash Ta Toh Neel Chithi Noy”. She mesmerised the audience with her rendition of the numbers “Ek Boroshar Brishtite Bhije”, “Eto Shukh Shoibo Kemon Kore” and “Phuler Kaan-e Bhromor Eshey”.
Noted artiste Parveen Sultana started off with the song “Tumi Jodi Bole Ditey” and beautifully performed “Jonom Jonom Dhorey Prem Piyashi”, “Ei Sundor Prithibite”, “Ami Roop Nogorer Rajkonya” and “Bhule Gechhi Sur Ogo”.
Aloke Kumar Sen first rendered “Ami Chand Ke Bolechhi”, and went on to perform “E A(n)dhar Kokhono Jabe Na Muchhe”, “Ke Jeno Aj Amar Chokhe”, “Tomarey Legechhe Eto Je Bhalo” and an Urdu track “Pyar Bhare Do Sharmile Nain”. Sadya Afreen Mallick requested Aloke to sing the sthayi part of the “Tomarey Legechhe Eto Je Bhalo” again after his performance, with the audience joining in chorus.
Sabbir Zaman won many hearts with his performance of popular songs like “Chokh Je Moner Kotha Bole”, “Paharer Kanna Dekhe”, “Aynatey Oi Mukh Dekhbe Jokhon”, “Pitch Dhala Oi Poth Takey” and an Urdu track “Kabhi Toh Tumko Yaad Aaye”.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performances of the songs. The live renditions coupled with the visual projection of the original tracks entertained the audience.
Eastern Bank Limited and Chalacchitram assisted in the programme.