A polymath with a melodious voice
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi (Tulu), the musicologist, singer, scholar, and prolific writer, passed away in Dhaka in the early hours of May 10. He was 87 years old. Abbasi was suffering from age-related illnesses and died peacefully at York Hospital, Banani, according to Sharmini Abbasi (Laboni), his youngest daughter. He was laid to rest at the Azimpur graveyard close to the final resting place of his father, Abbasuddin Ahmed, and mother Lutfunnesa Abbasi.
How does one capture in a few words the life and legacy of a personality who over seven decades of his inspirational life journeyed through diverse and vast realms, and left his mark in every field that he took an interest in, be it music, philosophy, religious traditions, or literature? He gave and enriched others. His writings on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Jalaluddin Rumi, and Kazi Nazrul Islam are the product of an intense period of creative fervour. His work reflects his scholarly interests and the depth and breadth of this prodigious mind.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Abbasi's scholarly acumen is evident in his book, Rumir Aloukik Bagan (The miracle garden of Rumi), one of his first on this topic. He encouraged the pursuit and study of Sufism and a deeper understanding of the tenets of Islam. However, he was also a big fan of Tagore, Lalon, SD Burman, and wrote about the practices of Buddhism in one of his travelogues. In an interview published in The Daily Star on the occasion of his 80th birthday, he said, "Islam is not about bullying the other religions. We Muslims should love the believers of other religions too."
The writing bug bit Abbasi at an early age. While he was building his career as a young musician and business executive, he developed an interest in spiritualism and the history of Eastern religious traditions. During my research on his academic publications, I found more than 50 books written by Abbasi. His eldest daughter, Samira, confirmed that Abbasi, whose varied work spanned over seven decades, had over 60 publications, including two on Bhawaiya music with staff notation of about 1,200 songs.
When he was in Florida visiting his eldest daughter Samira Abbasi a few years ago, we chatted about life and his work. I asked him if he was enjoying his vacation with his grandchildren. He replied, "Yes, but I also have made good progress on my latest book." When I expressed my surprise and said, "Oh, khalu, another book?" he calmly responded, "Yes, because my goal is to write one every year until I get to rest."
He was a polymath: performer, writer, researcher, and cultural organiser. Abbasi represented Bangladesh at cultural forums in 25 countries, performing folk genres including Bhawaiya, Bhatiali, Chatka, Bichchedi, and Nazrul Sangeet.
I first met him in Dhaka on January 21, 1963, when I was a pre-teen and he married my youngest maternal aunt Asma, whom we affectionately called Kochi khala (evergreen aunt).
We learned that Abbasi was an executive with Hyesons, a multinational corporation, headquartered in Karachi. We connected fast because he had a very open, melodious voice and was already known as a singer, following in the footsteps of his deceased father, the late Abbasuddin Ahmed. He soon became the darling of my household because he would sing Tagore songs along with Bhawayai and devotional songs. I was in awe when he sang the Nazrul Sangeet: "Phuley poochhinu bol bol orey phul, Kotha peli a surobhi roop a otul?" And, at the end of each stanza, he chanted at top of his voice, "Allahu, Allahu, Allahu."
This talented artist was born in Coonch Bihar. He studied at Balrampur High School and Jenkins School in Cooch Bihar, and Modern School in Park Circus, Kolkata. After moving to Dhaka, he completed his education at St Gregory's High School (which later became St Gregory's High School and College later) and Dhaka College before enrolling at the University of Dhaka, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in history.
He founded and, for 50 years, led the folk music research group, which collected thousands of folk songs. He was a senior research scholar at the Kazi Nazrul Islam and Abbasuddin Ahmed Research and Study Center of Independent University, Bangladesh. He was also appointed as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Abbasi was revered for his research on Bangla folk music, especially Bhawaiya, Murshidi, and the songs of Bhati Bangla. His writings and television works brought national attention to little-known rural musicians and lyricists.
Many rural artists were first introduced in his television programmes, either Amar Thikana or later in Bhora Nadeer Banke, which he anchored for many years.
He received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to music in 1995, the National Press Club Literary Award in 2008, and the lifetime achievement award at the Nazrul Mela in 2013 for his work on our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Abbasi's long-running column "Godhulir Chhayapothe" in the daily Prothom Alo was revered by readers for its blend of memory, insight, and musical history.
Besides Rumir Aloukik Bagan, he wrote or edited 45 other books including, Jibon Nodir Ujane, Mohammeder Naam, Sufi Kobita, Japan: Surjo Utheche Jekhane, Bhawaiyar Jonmobhumi, the novel Horinakhhi, Praner Geet, Amar Mayer Mukh, Bhatir Desher Bhatiwali, Shopnora Thake Shopner Odhare, and his autobiographical volumes.
Dr Abdullah Shibli is an economist and currently employed at a nonprofit financial intermediary in the US. He previously worked for the World Bank and Harvard University.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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