On Abbasuddin’s birth anniversary
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi (5th from right) performs to a receptive crowd.Photo: STAR
The 107th birth anniversary of the legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed was observed at Rangpur town hall on October 27.
Well-known Bhawaiya singer and folk researcher in West Bengal, Dr. Shukh Bilas Borma attended the event while renowned folk researcher and singer Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, acting chairman of Bhawaiya Academy, Nadira Begum; secretary general of Bhawaiya Academy, Azizul Islam graced the occasion with their presence.
The deputy general director of Bangladesh Betar, Abdur Rouf as chief guest, and the deputy commissioner of Rangpur Abdul Ahad, as special guest, also spoke on the occasion.
A discussion on the life and works of late Abbasuddin as well as Bhawaiya songs was held before the cultural function to commemorate the 'King of Bhawaiya' songs. Rejeka Sultana Fancy, president of Bhawaiya Academy Rangpur presided over the meeting.
Reflecting on Bhawaiya songs, Dr. Shukh Bilas Borma said, “All emotions-love, sorrow, sufferings, and happiness are replete in it. It’s appeal to the audience is all encompassing. This is why Bengali speaking people, mainly of greater Rangpur in Bangladesh and Cooch Bihar in India sing and enjoy this particular genre.”
He castigated the westernisation of music in Bangladesh as well as in India. He said, “Time will soon come when we will be eager go back to our roots, since real pleasure lies in our heritage and tradition.”
Dr. Borma said, “Bhawaiya is part of our heritage. It's a genre that has been sung in the region from time immemorial.”
“Bhawaiya reached its excellence in the melody of late Abbasuddin. He could successfully inspire people in Bhawaiya.” The songs express the hopes and frustrations of young hearts and also uphold the life and culture of the region.
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi said that, Bhawaiya depicts an idyllic picture of the region and is reflective of its picturesque landscape. The song “Oki garial bhai hakao gari tui Chilmari Bondore” of Abbasuddin depicts a picture of rural life in the Northern region, he noted.
Praising the works of Abbasuddin, chief guest Abdur Rouf said, talented individuals like him are still alive and are devoted in the national consciousness
Later, the organisation honoured renowned Bhawaiya music composer and artiste of the greater Rangpur region Sirajul Uddin and famous Bhawaiya artiste of the region Begum Suraiya.
Besides local Bhawaiya artistes, Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, Dr. Shukh Bilas, Nadira Begum, Begum Suriya rendered popular Bhawaiya songs and captivated the full house.
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