Pritom Ahmed: A true artiste on many fronts

Pritom Ahmed

Pritom Ahmed, a talented contemporary singer, has been immersed in the Bangladeshi music scene since 1999, though he took his early footsteps in this art form in 1990. Few artistes write, compose and sing their own material and Pritom is in their ranks.
Born in Dhaka in 1976, Pritom completed his B Muse from Government Music College, Dhaka in 1996. He trained in classical music under Leo J. Baroi, a teacher of BAFA. "I have picked up a great deal from Kabir Sumon and continue to be inspired by him. So I guess, in a sense, you could call him my 'guru,' ” he says.
Pritom lends his voice to a variety of causes: discrimination of all forms like social, religious and ethnic. "I try to provide a message in almost each of my songs -- for example the rebellious voices of Kansat, mass grievances over monga (drought), agonies of prostitutes, plight of street children, the emotional luggage of people from broken families, friction in conjugal life, democracy and others," he says.
Various music studios, namely Soundtek, Prime Music, CMV, Impress Music, Music Heaven, Gaanwala and Laser Vision have launched Pritom's seven solos, a duet and several mixed albums. Apart from these, he has worked on more than 30 albums, be it lyrics or tune and composition. He has also directed several albums.
Pritom's solo albums are “Dui Inchi Shuhk Chai,” “Cholo Palai,” “Bhalobashar Michhiley Esho,” “Hello Bondhu,” “Slogan,” “Tui Ki Amar Bondhu Hobi” and “Street Singer”. Along with Nochiketa, he released his only duet “Balika” in 2005.
Pritom's first mixed album “Anamika Tumi” with Shakila Zafar, Kumar Bishwajit, Khalid Hasan Milu and Polash was released in 1999.
With his lyrics and compositions, Pritom directed three albums -- “Jiboner Joto Chawa,” “Tomakey Dekhina Kotodin” and “Aaree” -- featuring Kusum Sikdar, Masum, Rauma, Sabbir, S. I. Tutul, Asif, Sumon and Close Up 1 contestant Lopa Hussain.
Pritom has command over several instruments -- keyboard, guitar, harmonium, piano and percussions.
Apart from music, Pritom has a penchant for poetry, photography and films. He has also acted in a single-episode TV play titled “Bigyapon O Manusher Galpo,” written and directed by Saraf Ahmed Zibon. Among others, Hasan Masud and Deepa Khandokar were Pritom's co-artistes in that play.
Pritom has produced musical programme “Sa Re Ga Ma” on Channel i and made a number of music videos and TVCs. He is now hosting a humorous programme “Pritomer Taar Chhera” on Radio Amar.
Asked on his source of inspiration, Pritom said, "I search for eternal peace in music and strongly believe that both artistes and performers have much to do on this front.”