Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan Sangeet Academy turns six

Moloy Kumar Ganguli receives the award from Syed Hassan Imam. Photo: Mumit M

On February 1, Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan Sangeet Academy celebrated its sixth anniversary with a lively programme at Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum.
Named after the legendary folk singer Momtaz Ali Khan, the academy was founded on January 31, 2003 in an effort to preserve the works of the late artiste and to promote folk songs on the whole.
“Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan was a singer, a lyricist and a collector of folk songs. His contribution to our folk music genre is immense and incomparable,” said Golam Kuddus, general secretary of Sammilito Sanskritik Jote, at the programme.
“He was an avid patriot. In 1971 he actively took part in the war. He used to go from camp to camp and sing patriotic songs to freedom fighters to boost their morale. It is regrettable that after his death no initiative has been taken to preserve his works. Even worse, many are trying to pass off his creations as their own,” Kuddus Added.
Golam Kuddus was the special guest at the programme.
Since its inception in 2003, the academy has been conferring the Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan Padak every year to individuals for their contribution to folklore and music.
This year's awardees are Ashrafuzzaman Khan (posthumous) and veteran folk artiste Moloy Kumar Ganguli. Novelist, playwright and freelance journalist Ashrafuzzaman died on December 19, 2008.
Singer Abdul Halim Khan received the award on behalf of Ashrafuzzaman. The awards were handed by cultural personality Syed Hassan Imam who was present as the chief guest.
Speaking on Momtaz Ali Khan, Imam said, “Momtaz Ali Khan wrote many songs and tuned more, enriching our opulent folk music further. He also contributed in grooming and training many renowned singers including Abdul Alim.”
Reminiscing on the late Ashrafuzzaman, Imam said, “He was always on the lookout for talented upcoming artistes. One day he saw our theatre performance and invited us to the radio office. He took a short interview and introduced us to the audience. In his lifetime he provided many artistes with much need exposure.”
Golam Kuddus said, “Ashrafuzzaman was the Regional Director of Pakistan Radio in 1971. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech on March 7, 1971 was supposed to be aired live but was stopped at the last moment by the Pakistani junta. In protest, Ashrafuzzaman halted the radio service and the government was forced to negotiate with him. The recorded version of Bangabandhu's speech was aired the next day on March 8.”
Speaking of Momtaz Ali Khan, award recipient and artiste of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Moloy Kumar Ganguli said, “Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan made significant contribution to my making as a singer. During my first recording in 1965 at 'His Master's Voice,' he became my guarantor, signing with the company.”
Among others, Rupu Khan, daughter of Momtaz Ali Khan and executive director of Ustad Momtaz Ali Khan Sangeet Academy, spoke at the event.
The cultural programme opened with a group performance by the students of the academy. They sang “Kothaye achhey dildorodi sha(n)i,” a Lalon composition which was later set to tune by Momtaz Ali Khan and “Munshi path dekhaiya dao,” written by composed by Khan.
Next, members of Bonhishikha performed a Lalon song “Tora dekhbi jodi aye,” set to tune by Khan and “Bangladesher mati,” written and composed by Khan.
Rupu Khan, Sohana Ahmed, Ariful Haque, Abdul Halim Khan, Orthi Rahman and others gave solo performances at the programme.