1 Minute Please!
Sadya Afreen Mallick is a noted Nazrul singer of our country, and has contributed a lot to our musical panorama in the last five decades. Despite receiving institutional training in Nazrul Geeti and Classical music, she has explored other genres of music to the best of her abilities. Sadya has not limited herself only to music, she loves to experiment with her creative abilities, which made her step into journalism. "On a bright and crispy wintry afternoon in January 2003, I started my journey with The Daily Star and since then it's been an eventful and fulfilling journey for me," she says in a content voice. Apart from her musical prowess and leadership skills, her warm and smiling nature makes her an absolute favourite among her colleagues in The Daily Star. On the 25th anniversary of The Daily Star, Star Weekend speaks to our very own 'Sadya Apa' about her childhood dreams, musical inspirations and much more.
Childhood dream
To take a magic carpet ride to different corners of the musical world and perform with my idols; a dream that, I am so thankful, has come true.
Musical inspiration
My parents, despite their hectic schedule as university professors, were avid music lovers. My father's day wouldn't start without the radio playing at dawn. My mother's long running (20 years) live musical radio show for children called Khelaghar hosted some of the country's most soon-to-be famous names!
Three all-time favourite singers in Bangladesh
Though I enjoy listening to many artistes, my all-time favourite is Sandhya Mukherjee; she's simply incomparable.
One thing you love most about working as the Editor of Arts and Entertainment
To be at the forefront of our cultural world. It fits in with my persona as an artiste for about five decades. It's an everyday inspiration to be able to share wonderful and unique stories about the country's great creative talents.
When you are not singing–
I love designing sarees for my boutique; catching a movie, reading an interesting book; rearranging my apartment, or simply feeding the birds that come to my balcony. Simple things like that make me smile!
One stage performance that has stayed with you for years
Can't pick one, few come to mind. My first stage performance at Chhayanaut when I was 9. Then my solo concert in New Delhi in 1974 at the house of noted singer Deepali Nag Choudhury; Kazi Nazrul Islam had dedicated the song "Megh Meduur Boroshaye" to her. The three month US tour in 1990 with Feroza Begum was very special. I also fondly remember an incident at Panda Garden, when Hemanta Mukherjee, who was just leaving the venue turned around and returned to listen to me perform the song "Nirojone Shokhi Bolo Bodhuarey"
Photo: Prabir Das