Remembering: Andrew Kishore
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Runa Laila (Singer)
Eminent singer Runa Laila was among the many who paid tributes to Andrew Kishore over social media, after the news of his demise. "With a heavy heart, I bid goodbye to a stalwart in our music industry," she wrote in a Facebook post. "Andrew Kishore, whose melodious songs and soul stirring voice have made him immortal, will continue to inspire the coming generations."
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Gazi Mazharul Anwar
(Director, producer, lyricist and music director)
Andrew Kishore had the perfect playback singing voice. He understood the language of cinema exceedingly well. I worked with him for the first time on the song, Chole Amar Cycle Hawar Break Uira Uira from the film, Nantu Ghatak. It was a huge success. Since then, we collaborated on more than a hundred compositions. He was a hardworking and dedicated artiste. I have many great memories with him. Every year on Christmas, he sent a cake to our house. He was like a younger brother to me. I miss him immensely.
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Alam Khan (Music Director)
I composed Andrew's first film song, and I collaborated with him on some of his last songs as well. I met him back in 1987, after my friend and radio producer Dulal, told me about him. Andrew was a great singer. He started off as a playback singer with the song Rajkumari Shundori, from the film, Mail Train. Sadly, that film was never released. Soon after, he sang Ek Chor Chole Jay, in the film Oshanti. It was an instant hit. I composed Hayre Manush Rongin Fanush, Kake Bole Bhalobasha, Jiboner Golpo Ache Baki Olpo and Tora Dekh Dekhre Chahiya, among many of his other popular songs. Fuler Gondher Moto Theke Jabo Tomar Rumale, penned by Syed Shamsul Haque, was the last song that Andrew and I collaborated on.
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Rafiqul Alam (Singer)
I lived about eight minutes away from Andrew's house in Rajshahi. We both studied at Rajshahi Government College and Rajshahi University, but he was four years younger than me. After he was diagnosed with cancer, Andrew knew he wanted to be buried in Rajshahi. He loved his hometown. His mother was a doctor at a Christian Missionary hospital in Rajshahi. All the children in our family were born under her supervision. Much like me, Andrew came from a culturally rich family, and we bonded over many shared interests. After Bangladesh's independence, he came to Dhaka to perform in a folk festival. I was working at Bangla Academy at the time, and he came to meet me frequently. His playback singing voice set him apart from others. He was an exceptional artiste.
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Syed Abdul Hadi (Singer)
I was at a loss for words when I got the news. Andrew's demise has left a void in the industry. We will be hard pressed to find another artiste like him. I worked with him on several occasions. He was like a younger brother to me. Sabina Yasmin and I met him in Singapore in March. He was ecstatic to see us. I was hopeful about his recovery, but sadly, he left us too soon.
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Sabina Yasmin (Singer)
My first collaboration with Andrew was on an Alam Khan composition. Since then, we did numerous songs and stage performances together. Andrew was my brother and my friend. Initially, he didn't pay much heed to his deteriorating health. I remember he fell ill after a show in Australia. I called him up, and requested him to go to Singapore for his treatment. At the time, he didn't listen to me. I wish he had. When he eventually went to Singapore, I talked to him regularly, and he always asked me to pray for him. I was hopeful that his health will improve with time. I met him at the hospital in Singapore in March. After that, we did a show together, where he sang Jiboner Golpo and we performed Shob Shokhire Paar Korite together, in Singapore. He arrived at the event in a wheel-chair. After he returned to Bangladesh, I checked up on him regularly. Syed Abdul Hadi and I requested him multiple times to come to Dhaka for his treatment, but he was adamant about staying in Rajshahi. One day, over the phone, he asked me to forgive him and to look after his wife and children when he is gone. I kept telling him that everything will be alright. That was our last conversation. I still haven't fully come to terms with the fact that he is no more.
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Samina Chowdhury (Singer)
I truly believed that Andrew Kishore could conquer cancer – he had the blessings of millions and he was supposed to live a longer, beautiful life. He was a true musical legend, and a kind-hearted man, who always encouraged young artistes. This is a tragic loss for our industry. I convey my condolences to his family. May Allah grant him Jannah.
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