An inseparable bond with Rabindra Sangeet
Shahjahan Hafiz was a familiar name in the cultural arena of Dhaka in the '50s. Basically a Rabindra Sangeet singer, Hafiz was popular in the student community for his spirited performances at campus-based cultural programmes. However, his musical pursuits were limited due to his busy career as a doctor in the defence service. On the occasion of Tagore's birth anniversary, The Daily Star spoke with the seasoned artiste on a range of issues.
The beginning
Hafiz says, "I was brought up in Bhairab Bazar; it was a remote place then. Very few had the opportunity to be involved in cultural activities like singing, especially those from Muslim families. Since childhood, I had an inclination towards music. My liberal father understood my passion and encouraged it. But it was impossible to find a suitable school or receive necessary training in the area; even cultural programmes were rare. The gramophone was the only way I could satiate my appetite for music."
As he has a keen sense of music, which he thinks he inherited from his parents, Hafiz learnt many Tagore songs just by listening to the records.
The music scene in the '50s
According to Hafiz, in the '50s, Tagore songs were popularised by legendary artistes like Pankaj Mallik and Hemanta Mukherjee. Says Hafiz, "From the very beginning, the sublime, melodious and profound music of Tagore attracted me. When I was in the college, I used to sing at cultural programmes. I even sang at some political meetings as well. Then I came to Dhaka and enrolled in the medical college. I don't remember the year, but it was the Rabindra Jayanti for which some of the DMC students, including me, approached eminent Tagore singer and composer Abdul Ahad."
The breakthrough
"After hearing my voice," says Hafiz, "Ahad asked me to meet him later, first at Radio Pakistan, where he used to work. Then it was at Nazimuddin Road, and here I got my first taste of the grammatical and theoretical aspects of music. With intense care, Abdul Ahad trained me as an accomplished singer and I started singing on the radio.”
Hafiz was enlisted in the radio as a Grade A singer, but more importantly than that, he was a brilliant performer at the live music programmes. Right after the Partition (1947), there was a dearth of quality singers as many acclaimed Hindu artistes had moved to India. Hafiz was among the singers who tried to fill that vacuum. But his thriving career soon came to an end, as he had to focus on his profession as a doctor. However, he did not cut off his ties with music completely and continued singing at cultural programmes within his official community. In 1983, he appeared in a BTV programme directed by poet Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal along with noted artistes Kalim Sharafi and Saiful Islam.
Hafiz today
After his retirement in 1998, Hafiz again became a regular on radio and TV. Now 79, Hafiz has devoted his energies to keeping alive the spirit of Tagore among the new generation.
State of Rabindra Sangeet today
"Tagore is an integral part of our life," says Hafiz. "Apart from celebrating the birth or death anniversary of the bard, we remember Tagore on other occasions such as Pahela Baishakh, which ushers in the New Year.”
"Several organisations in Bangladesh are playing a constructive role in upholding the creativity and spirit of Tagore. I think this generation has a greater opportunity to access his works. They can receive training from skilled teachers at home and at Shantiniketan. My generation didn't have all these opportunities."
Hafiz encourages the young artistes' individual interpretation of Tagore songs. "Unless they desecrate the subtlety and originality of the songs, why should we object? However, the music composer should clearly understand the extent to which he/she should incorporate new instruments to the arrangement."
Among the contemporary Tagore artistes, Hafiz admires Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya, Mita Haque, Sadi Mohammad, Mahiuzzaman Chowdhury and Aditi Mohsin.
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