The Daily Star (TDS): Why has your golden voice not been heard in recent times? Feroza Begum(FB) : There are many reasons, I can't point to only one. Before independence, many standard programmes on Nazrul used to take place here at Bangla Academy and Engineers Institute. I used to take part in each of those programmes. These were mainly government-arranged programmes where the eminent personalities were invited.

Unfortunately, after the independence, politics crept into the music world of this country. Due to some incapable people in our cultural sector, some artistes were 'black listed' and some were brought in the limelight. With the change of governments, the national media also favoured certain artistes. Though I never fell victim of this system, a section of people in the media made me very angry and at the same time, wary of pampering to anybody's wishes. It is very unfortunate that it happens only in our country not anywhere else. I don't want to speak more about it.

TDS: Does it happen only in the case of Nazrul Sangeet artists? FB: Probably it does, I am not sure. But why should it happen in any sector at all? I have been singing for the last 60 years and I should have some say in the process of planning to take forward the Nazrul legacy. The situation is simply ridiculous. The senior artistes like me are not getting enough opportunities to perform in the national programmes. The people are slowly forgetting Nazrul's songs. The singers can contribute, but there is no proper planning in this case.

TDS: What type of planning you are talking about?

FB: First of all, the planning should be neutral and justified. If the authorities can't do it, then they should leave it to us. They should talk to the senior artistes about it and plan with them. Then steps should be taken to stop the process of neglecting artistes with the change of governments.

Let me recall some events that took place in mid 70s. When Ziaur Rahman came to power, he asked me how Nazrul's songs, his works could be preserved. I gave him my own plan, but apart from formation of Nazrul Institute, nothing much materialised. But there is still time. I haven't lost hope.

TDS: What other suggestions did you make in your plan given to the authorities?

FB: To my mind, training of the teachers is very important. To build up trainers should be our primary task. Then collecting the recorTDS and the notations. The next step could have been arranging special training for the senior artistes. And I wanted them to make it a priority. They accepted some of these measures but I don't know how far they have succeeded.

TDS: What is your opinion about the activities of Nazrul Institute? Do you think what they are doing is enough?

FB: Many senior artistes are not being involved with the institute. They don't get the proper facilities there. And often they get frustrated. That's the main problem. If the artistes were happy with their Sadhana(practice), then no planning or steps would fail. Sadly the evaluation of Nazrul is not done properly and I want to ask them why?

TDS: But organistaions like Shilpakala Academy, Nazrul Academy and Nazrul Institute are holding many programmes. Don't you think theses are worthwhile initiatives?

FB: Shilpakala Academy could have done much more in its history of last 15 years, which they failed to do. I want to know categorically why at least two conferences every year, on our National Poet, could not be arranged by the Academy? Why do we only remember him on his birth and death anniversary? Then what was the necessity of making him the National Poet? The whole year goes without any special programmes except those two days. The government spenTDS loaTDS of money on programmes on those two days, but the artistes don't get their remuneration properly, the programmes are not properly directed. The question of capability is also important here. Those who are skilled should be patronised.

TDS: The Rabindra Sangeet singers did not wait for any official initiatives and began it's own programme to popularise Tagore's songs around the country. Why couldn't the Nazrul Sangeet singers do this?

FB: Yes I agree they have been successful. If the Nazrul singers tried to do it, they could have been successful too. Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha was formed to carry on such activities, but the spirit was missing among the singers to take such initiatives by themselves. There were problems among the artistes, there was lack of leadership and sincerity.

TDS: Do you think the notation that Nazrul Institute is doing is right? FB: If we say the notation process is right, then why don't most of the singers follow the right notations? In Nazrul Institute many popular and common lyrics are also being interpreted incorrectly. Even the lyrics are being changed. I listened to a song recently and it contained six mistakes. I want to ask why? It's not only the authority, it'st also the artiste's duty to correct these mistakes.

TDS: Do you think that exchanging artistes between West Bengal and Bangladesh should be encouraged to promote Nazrul's songs? FB: Definitely. At this moment, I don't see any exchanges. After independence, I performed in many programmes over there. But very few artistes have visited Bangladesh in the same way. There seems to be barrier. The film actors come and go, but when the issue of bringing Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet singers comes up, the problems begin. It is the duty of Shilpakala Academy and they should take innitiative.

TDS: You obviously seem very disturbed about the way Nazrul and his works is being neglected. What should we do to change the scenario? FB: I am very concerned about this, too. We have two great literary personalities -- Tagore and Nazrul. But the world is yet to know much much about the latter. More translations of Nazrul's works should be carried out in English so that the literary circle around the world has more access to the work of this genius. It's also the government's responsibility to focus on Nazrul while sending cultural troupes abroad, which they don't. There are problems in selections. They emphasize more on the popular modern songs and singers while Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet singers are given secondary treatment in these troupes. This has to change.