Celebrating Ayub Bachchu’s timeless legacy on his birthday
Known for his iconic songs and exceptional talents, Ayub Bachchu is a name that still resonates within the hearts of millions of people in our country. On the occasion of the 61st birthday of the legendary rock guitarist, we remember and honour one of Bangladesh's most revered musical geniuses.
It was on October 18, 2018, that the world bid farewell to Ayub Bachchu, leaving an immense void in the realm of music. Hundreds of people flocked to the hospital upon hearing the news of his death, and thousands of people paid their respects to the legend on the Shaheed Minar with heavy hearts.
Born in Chittagong on August 16, 1962, Ayub Bachchu was a rock guitarist, composer, singer, and songwriter, as well as the founder of the Bangladeshi rock band LRB.
"Once we close our eyes, life stops. This is the true essence of life. All of us will have to go one day," shared Ayub Bachchu in an interview with The Daily Star months before his departure.
"Life will go on at its own pace. It is like waves; each time, different waves will come ashore in the spectrum of life," he said.
Ayub Bachchu's debut song, "Harano Bikeler Golpo", was written by Shahid Mahmud Jongi. In 1986, Bachchu's first solo album, "Roktogolap", was released.
Back in 1978, Ayub Bachchu embarked on a journey that would shape his destiny, joining the rock band Feelings, later known as Nagar Baul. The year 1980 marked his entry into Souls, an association that endured nearly a decade. Then, on April 5, 1991, Ayub Bachchu gave birth to a new chapter in his musical odyssey by founding LRB, an acronym that would come to stand for "Love Runs Blind". 1992 saw the release of LRB's debut album, etching their name into the annals of Bangladeshi music history.
In his lifetime, Ayub Bachchu released a total of 16 solo albums, "Moyna" (1988), "Koshto" (1995), "Shomoy" (1998), "Eka" (1999), "Prem Tumi Ki" (2002), "Duti Mon"(2002), "Kafela" (2002), "Prem Premer Moto" (2003), "Pother Gaan" (2004), "Vatir Gaane Matir Tane" (2006), "Jibon" (2006), "Sound of Silence" (2007), "Rimjhim Brishti" (2008), "Bolini Kokhono" (2009), and "Jiboner Golpo" (2015).
LRB's solo albums include "LRB" (1992), "Shukh" (1993), "Tobuo" (1994), "Ghumonto Shohore" (1995), "Ferari Mon" (1996), "Amader Bishmoy" (1998), "Mon Chaile Mon Pabe" (2000), "Ochena Jibon" (2003), "Mone Ache Naki Nei" (2005), "Sporsho" (2008), and "Juddho" (2012), among others.
Ayub Bachchu gifted the audience with countless timeless classics, including "Cholo Bodle Jai", "Hashte Dekho Gaite Dekho", "Keu Shukhi Noy", "Ferari Ei Monta Amar", "Ekdin Ghum Bhanga Shohore", "Bangladesh", "Koshto Pete Bhalobashi", "Ekhon Onek Raat", "Ei Rupali Guitar Fele", "Gotokal Rate", "Shei Tara Bhora Raat E", "Meye Tumi Ki Dukkho Cheno", "Share Tin Hat Mati", "Ural Debo Akashe", and "Ek Akash Tara Tui", among others.
Today, as we commemorate Ayub Bachchu's birthday, we also celebrate his enduring influence on the music landscape. His impact reached beyond melodies as he etched his presence into the hearts of thousands, as evidenced by the outpouring of love that followed his passing. His songs like "Ami Toh Preme Porini" and "Sagorika Ami Beche Achi" became anthems for countless souls across Bangladesh and beyond.
To honour his indelible legacy, the Bangladesh Copyright Office has unveiled a remarkable initiative – a website archiving 272 of Ayub Bachchu's songs and a dedicated YouTube channel. This marks a historic moment as the government officially recognises and preserves the work of a Bangladeshi artist.