<i>Music and poetry albums of Asafuddoula launched</i>

Feroza Begum speaks at the album launchPhoto: STAR

Ten CDs of songs and poems by eminent singer, composer and poet Mohammad Asafuddoula were launched on November 8 at the auditorium of National Music and Dance Centre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The highlight of the event was rendition of songs by Asafuddoula.
Adviser to the Ministries of Education, Primary and Mass Education and Cultural Affairs, Ayub Quadri launched the CDs and greeted Asafuddoula with an uttoriyo. Potonger Shlok, one of the albums, features poetry recitation by Asafuddoula. The Golden Collection Series includes nine CDs of geet, old and new Bangla songs and ghazals written, composed or sung by Asafuddoula.
Legendary Nazrul artiste Feroza Begum, singer Khalid Hossain, secretary of Ministry of Cultural Affairs ABM Abdul Howk Chowdhury and deputy director general of BTV Qamrun Nessa Hasan were the special guests while director general of BSA Quamrul Hassan ndc presided over the programme.
In her speech Feroza Begum, elder sister of Asafuddoula, reminisced the days of their childhood when she “discovered” his musical talents. She shared, “I started trying to give Asafuddoula music lessons when he was ten. Initially, he seemed cooperative, however he soon became aggravated. I had to be a little harsh to him sometimes. The first song I taught him was Nobiji esho go, which was also my first recorded song. Today his songs are performed by many noted singers of the subcontinent, and he has earned fame as a singer and composer. The hard work paid off.”
She was also critical about the government-backed organisations' role in cultural development. “Since I moved back here, I have not seen any significant government initiative for promoting music education or nurturing the practice of classical music. The classical music scenario here is not up to the mark. We do not even have enough recording facilities. We still have to go to Kolkata for higher education in music and recording.”
Ayub Quadri talked mostly about his professional attachment with Asafuddoula. However, he said, “As I have no formal training in music appreciation, I like the music that is easy to the ear, and I like Asafuddoula's music.”
The discussion was followed by performances of songs written and composed by Asafuddoula. Asafuddoula himself rendered ghazals and a Bangla song of 1950s – Doulot mili jahan me nam-o-nishaan miley, Poreki mon-e amakey and more. Abul Kamal Shafi Ahmed recited a poem written by Asafuddoula. Shumona Bardhan and other prominent singers also performed at the programme.