Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 445 Fri. August 26, 2005  
   
Culture


Tunes of the perilous times
Shujeo Shyam on his latest venture


The new generation does not often realise the significance and impact of the spirited songs of our Liberation War. The main objective of the album Bahanno Thekey Ekattur is to make the young people imbibe the essence of the War for which many Bangalees sacrificed their lives," says celebrated music composer Shujeo Shyam about his forthcoming album.

The album is a collection of the patriotic and motivational songs dedicated to the Language Movement of 1952, Mass Uprising in 1969 and the Liberation War. The album is basically the brainchild of Mahbubur Rahman Jaynal of popular production house Tonatuni. Shyam says, "When Jaynal asked me about the possibility of releasing such an album, it took only a second for me to accept the proposal. Mujibar Rahman Dilu and I have worked on the album for the last two years. But unfortunately due to the sudden ailment of Dilu, the production process is delayed and at present I can't advance any further." According to Shyam, 98 percent of the album is complete and it is expected to be released this December.

Shyam complains, "The original records of the songs of our Language Movement were lost. Even the original tunes and lyrics of the songs we used to render in Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (SBBK) were not preserved by the Bangladesh government. Though different document and specimens have been preserved and collected by the museums, nobody took the initiative to preserve these songs or the records of SBBK properly and institutionally."

Against this backdrop, it was hard labour for Shyam and Dilu to get the original songs with undistorted tunes and lyrics. They had to collect them from individuals who have personal collections of these records or notations. Among these works is the timeless song Bhulbona bhulbona Ekushey February bhulbo na. Shyam says, "Although I had composed many songs aired on SBBK, I couldn't recall quite a few of the tunes. Hence some songs are lost forever."

Two noteworthy songs of the album are yet to be recorded: the incomparable Amar bhaiyer roktey rangano and the victory-marking song Bijoy nishan udchhey oi. Because the original records are not available any more, Shyam had to re-record the songs anew. Eminent singers including Subir Nandi, Rathindranath Roy, Bipul Bhattacharyay, Shahin Samad, Rafiqul Alam, Abida Sultana and Shakila Zafar as well as some promising artistes have rendered the songs for the album. The songs have been recorded in Sruti Studio.

Other songs of the Language Movement include Ora amar mukher bhasha kaira nitey chay. Among the songs of 1969 Jantar sangram chalbei has been chosen. Rokto palash tapto phagun and Rashtro bhasha andolon korilorey Bangalee will also be in the album. Shyam says, "The latter was originally rendered by martyred composer Altaf Mahmud during the Language Movement at the Paltan Maydan. Rathindranath Roy will render the song."

For Shyam, the album is the realisation of a dream. He hopes that in the process it will rekindle the spirit of the Liberation War and the Language Movement whilel bringing the younger generation closer to important milestones in the nation's history.

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Shujeo Shyam