The untold story of Luva Nahid Choudhury

Over the years, Bangladesh has blossomed into a social hub for fine arts and cultural programmes, through the brilliant contributions of eminent literary figures and renowned personalities.

In order to honour the legacy of such prolific personalities Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Foundation organised a special programme called the "Bidyapeeth Baithaki- Ontoronge Alape Gunijon", where renowned individuals came on stage and shared their stories and philosophies, for the live audience. At the event, their guest was art aficionado and singer, Luva Nahid Choudhury who dwelled on the theme of "Shilpo O Shongskriti- Amar Jibon O Procheshta".

Luva Nahid Choudhury was born in Karachi, but soon migrated to Bangladesh in 1973. Her father, renowned dramatist Anis Choudhury influenced her to follow her dreams, while her mother, Rabeya Choudhury, a teacher, taught her how to be independent. Luva joined the Bengal foundation in 1999 and was involved in implementing projects like the Bengal Classical Music Festival and many others.

"Growing up in the 1960's, I didn't have to struggle much as I was surrounded by like-minded parents, who instilled in me the importance of humanity. My father was born in Kolkata, while my mother was Assamese," said Luva.

Luva Chowdhury's father, an eminent dramatist, staged "Manchitro" in 1956 which broke the stereotypes against female artistes. On the day when the first staging of the play was supposed to take place in Karachi, fascists—who were against the idea of men and women sharing the stage together—tried to attack the female artiste at her residence.

In hopes that she would still be able to perform in the play, the artiste snuck out of her house by climbing the fence and arrived in time for the play. Later on, all the critiques were brought to tears by her riveting performance.

"My mother was an indomitable spirit who always lived her life to the fullest. When my father passed away, my mother, a retired teacher, along with her sister came up with the idea of a day-care centre in 1987, so that working mothers could work without worries. They also started their own catering service. My grandmother was also a free-thinker when it comes to women's education. She sold her gold jewellery to send her daughter abroad for her scholarship programme in America," said Luva Chowdhury.

The enigmatic singer had some of the most prolific mentors in her life, in terms of music. "While migrating to Bangladesh, we got a quarter in Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, where I first met the Ekushey Padak-winning singer, Ava Alam. She took me to her mentor, Mithun da for training. Another singer, Rashida Haque—my friend's mother—introduced me to Atulprasad Sen's Nid Nahi Ankhipate, also played an important role in my journey as a singer. Music has been an integral part of my life, and it gave me the opportunity to perform a tribute programme for Ravi Shankar, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in the UK," added the singer.

Luva Nahid Choudhury ended the programme with a devotional song by Atulprasad Sen, mesmering the audience.