Souls founder Ronny Barua passes away
After fighting lung cancer since early 2020, renowned musician, designer, theatre personality and founding drummer of revolutionary pop rock band Souls, Subrata Barua Ronny passed away yesterday at 5:00am at a hospital in Dhaka.
He was 65 years old.
Eminent musician and former Souls member, Naquib Khan, confirmed the news.
After independence, Ronny started a choir group named Prantik Shilpi Goshtthi in Chattogram, where artistes covered songs by the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Inspired by Chattogram's then popular band Lightnings, he started nurturing his own dreams of making music as a part of a band. He was further motivated by "Guru" Azam Khan and his band Uccharon, with Azam Khan being a revolutionary trendsetter for upcoming musicians of that era.
In 1974, he founded Souls alongside Tajul Imam, Sajed Ul Alam, Momtazul Hoque Lulu and Ahmed Newaz.
Over the years, artistes like Tapan Chowdhury, Naquib Khan, Ayub Bachchu, Partha Barua, and Pilu Khan joined, making the band sound unique and etching a place in the hearts of Bangladeshi listeners.
"Ronny da was an excellent artiste and an amazing human being. His contributions as one of the founding members of Souls were exemplary," shares National Award-winning singer and composer Bappa Mazumdar. "He was suffering from cancer for a long time and after so many hardships, he lost the battle. I extend my sincerest condolences to his family."
Having graduated in design in 1979, Ronny was also a prominent figure in theatre, directing background music, lighting and set for many plays for Arindyam Natya Sampradaya, including "Elebele", "Paap Punya", "Laalshalu", "Shajan Megh".
Celebrated lyricist Shahid Mahmid Jangi expressed grief at the artiste's passing, as did many members of the musical fraternity on social media.
"My childhood friend, founding member of Souls and everyone's beloved Subrata Barua Ronny has left us," he wrote on Facebook. "My condolences to his family." He had written many famous songs for Renaissance, Souls and LRB, having formed a close bond with Subrata Barua Ronny.
With organisations Chattogram Charushipli Sangathan and Shaikatchari, Ronny actively worked to ensure the district's first Pohela Boishakh celebrations. For 15 years, he had overseen Chattogram Shilpakala Academy's Pohela Boishakh Celebrations as well. Ronny was also a pivotal member of Bangladesh Designers' Forum.
Legendary music director and keyboardist of Feedback, Foad Nasser Babu reminisced his relationship with the artiste. "Although he was senior to me, I shared a very friendly relationship with him. We had numerous conversations about music and its development. He was someone that we could depend upon blindly.
"For any suggestions or comments, I could always reach out to him and he would do the same. A brilliant drummer and musician, I believe he was the real 'soul' of Souls. I am deeply saddened by his demise. He was one of our key supporters when we were trying to set up the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association, also known as BAMBA. He was a great friend to Feedback. We worked closely with him and learnt a lot. I convey my prayers and hope he is in a better place now."
Nasim Ali Khan from Souls, on his Facebook post yesterday, said,
"This is a very sad day for me. One of my musical mentors, the selfless soul of Souls, has left for eternity. He was a friend and a soulmate who always inspired me in my strive. Rony da, we shall miss you terribly. You have been an Icon and always shall remain one. May you bask in the grace of Allah SWT in heaven till we meet again.
Subrata Barua Ronny's last rites took place yesterday at the Chattogram Buddhist Temple. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.