THROUGH THE EYES OF MUSTAFA ZAMAN ABBASI
A much renowned name in the folk music arena of Bangladesh, Mustafa Zaman Abbasi is someone who is yet to be replicated. He is a prominent musicologist, writer, instructor and a television personality who was born on 8th December, 1937. He's the worthy son of the great folk singer and composer, Abbasuddin Ahmed. Mustafa Zaman Abbasi has been contributing as a Senior Research Scholar at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) where he has pioneered a centre titled “Kazi Nazrul Islam & Abbasuddin Ahmed Research and Study Centre”. He has published 54 books in total. He has published two books on Bhawaiya music with staff notation of about 1,200 songs. His remarkable books include 'Abbasuddin Ahmed, Manush o Shilpi', 'Kazi Nazrul Islam, Man and Poet', 'Puribo Ekaki', 'Rumir Oloukik Bagan' and 'Surer Rajkumar, Sachin Dev Burman'. He anchored television programs such as 'Amar Thikana', 'Loukik Bangla' and 'Bhora Nadeer Banke'. He has achieved many prestigious awards including Ekushey Padak (1995), Nazrul Mela Lifetime Achievement Award, Apex Foundation Award, Natyasobha Award, Bengal Centenary Award, Abbasuddin Gold Medal, Manik Mia Award, Sylhet Music Award and Lalon Parishad Award.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration is the empyrean beauty of nature. I must say that I got the chance to smell the melody of nature in the lap of my beloved father, Abbasuddin Ahmed. The renowned musicologist Nayeb Ali Tepu is also my inspiration. My sister has always motivated me a lot. Since childhood, I have been a great admirer of my classical gurus. Gradually, I have learnt many things from my school, college and university. In adulthood, I was inspired by my village and Bhawaiya songs.
PHILOSOPHY
I am a sophisticated person. Though I have hailed from a fairly rich economic background and graduated from the University of Dhaka, I love to introduce myself as just a singer and a writer. I think I am the richest person in this country, because I have a collection of my father's most precious songs, the value of which is immeasurable.
VIEWS ON HIS PROFESSION
I am not a professional musicologist, rather music is my passion. I believe music is the invocation of love. My father bestrewed the seeds of music in me when I was just a kid and I think that's the reason behind my interest in music. I was a business executive of top grade by profession. I worked as a General Manager at Hisense Group for twelve long years. Later on, I started my own business and became very successful. Currently, I am working as a Senior Research Scholar and Convener of the Kazi Nazrul Islam & Abbasuddin Ahmed Study and Research Centre at Independent University, Bangladesh. My request to the young generation is to love the motherland, be dedicated and feel the colossal grace of the nature of our country.
BOOKS
I love reading books. I love to read the books of Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. All of his books are my favorites. Remarkably, Aranyak and Pather Panchali are my most favorite books. Moreover, the short stories and essays of Rabindranath Tagore are my favorites. I am also a great fan of Jalaluddin Rumi.
FILMS
I loved watching movies since childhood. Kalpana is on the top of my favorite lists. I fell in love with the voice of the famous singer Madhu Bala after watching the movie Mehel. Mahaprosthaner Pathe is another wonderful movie where our beloved Boshonto Chowdhury was the hero. I also had the opportunity to sing before him later in life. The film Thikadar also holds a precious memory about my father. In that film, there is a scene where my father is passing by and singing a song. To me, that is the most admirable part of that film.
MUSIC
The great patriotic song Dhono Dhanne Pushpe Bhora is my most favorite song. Additionally, Oki O Bondhu Kajol Bhromora Re, O Mor Chand Ore Mor Shona, O Amar Dorodi Agey Janle and Chol Jai Chol Mathe Langol Baite are some of my favorite songs.
FUTURE PLANS
Although I have no specific plans for the future, it was one of my agendas to translate the Holy Quran in Bengali and it is the major work that I am currently involved in. Every year, my books have been published in the Omor Ekushey Boimela. For fifty years, I have been introducing the wonderful songs of our country to the people through different television programs such as Bhora Nadeer Banke, Loukik Bangla and Amar Thikana. One of my plans is to organize workshops throughout the world on Bangladeshi folk music.
IDOLS
Of course, for all Muslims of the world, the idol is our one and only Prophet. My first written book is Mohammader Naam. I also admire the ideologies of our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and also my beloved father, the great musician Abbasuddin Ahmed.