Of songs and a shining star
With over 300 films to his name, he was unparalleled when it came to melody and musical genius.
He will be remembered as one of the finest composers not only of Bangladesh but also the entire sub-continent, for around 5,000 songs and a phenomenal contribution to Bangla cinema.
The legendary music director, Alauddin Ali, passed away yesterday, leaving a never-to-be-filled void in the country's film and cultural industry.
He was 68-year-old when he passed away at the capital's Universal Medical College Hospital at 5:50pm. He had been kept on life support as his condition deteriorated.
He had battled several life-threatening complications, including cancer, for a long time.
Having made his debut in the film Shondhikkhon in 1975, Alauddin Ali won the National Award 8 times, including Best Music Director for the films Golapi Ekhon Traine, (1978), Sundori (1979), Koshai (1980), Jogajog (1988) and Lakhe Ekta (1990).
Born to Ustad Jadob Ali and Zohora Khatun on December 24, 1952, Ali's first musical lessons were from his uncle, Sadeq Ali. In 1968, he joined as a film instrumentalist and assistant to legendary composer Altaf Mahmud.
His burgeoning career as a composer started when his friend, Abul Umrah Mohammad Fakhruddin, showed him a poem describing the seasons of Bangladesh in 1972.
At the time, Ali was working as an assistant to music director Anwar Parvez. After he made a song out of the poem, the masterpiece O Amar Bangla Ma Tor was born, sung to perfection by Sabina Yasmin.
When he signed Shondhikkhon, he was only 23. Over the years, he became a pillar of the Bangladeshi film industry, especially in his partnership with renowned director and lyricist Amzad Hossain.
Ami Achi Thakbo, Ekta Kotha Bolar, Keu Jodi Konodin Amare, Tumi Jodi Shukhi How and Ronger Manush are among those hits that the trio of Alauddin Ali, Sabina Yasmin and Amzad Hossain concocted together.
"He was assisting the music director Anwar Parvez when we first met. It was in the 80s when we first recorded our album under the banner of HMV in Kolkata in his composition," says Runa Laila, who fondly remembers Alauddin Ali as a master of his craft.
"In later years, we did many albums and film songs together, including Amay Genthe Daona Mago Ekta Polash Phuler Mala which created history. I will miss him dearly."
Naquib Khan believes the contribution Alauddin Ali made in Bangla music is phenomenal. "The music genre he introduced, fusing modern music with folk, was begotten him unparalleled success," said this musician.
IRRECOVERABLE LOSS
"Yet another bright star has left us," says Aly Sumon, who is also the lead vocalist of the band Pentagon. "Looking back to my numerous childhood memories with him, I am incredibly grateful to be nurtured and adored by him."
Rafiqul Alam, who first worked together with Ali in the 1973 film Otithi, attributes his success in singing career to the deceased composer.
"His loss can never be compensated," shared Abida Sultana, who was deeply saddened by the news of his demise. "Recording sessions with him were joyful, and were more like picnics, which everyone looked forward to."
Music Composers Society of Bangladesh (MCSB) mourned the departure of Alauddin Ali.
"It is a huge and an irrecoverable loss to the music industry. Each and every member of MCSB is praying for the departed soul," said their statement on social media.
Amar Moto Eto Shukhi, sung by Khalid Hassan Milu, E Jibon Tomake Dilam sung by Kumar Sanu, Tomake Chai Aro Kache by Runa Laila, Nil Nil Nilanjona by Asif Akbar, Pathorer Prithibite Kacher Hridoy by Shakila Zafar and Tapan Chowdhury, Bhengeche Pinjor by Andrew Kishore are only a few among his musical triumphs.
Alauddin Ali's Namaz-e-Janaza will take place today after Zohrprayers, at a mosque near his home in Khilgaon Taltola, followed by another janaza at FDC. He will be laid to rest at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur.
He is survived by his children Afrin Ali, Ajmeri Ali Minu, Showkat Ali Rana, Adrita Alauddin Rajkonnya and Alif Alauddin, the latter being a singer and media personality.