Eminent singer Ferdousi Rahman observes that bhawaiya, one of the most melodious music genres of the country, is under threat of extinction due to lack of patronisation and practice.
In an interview with New Age Ferdausi Rahman, one of most popular bhawaiya singers the country has ever produced, revealed the present condition of the rich music genre bhawaiya, a musical genre originated in the northern part of the country featuring will and woes of the masses in melodious tune.
‘The situation of bhawaiya is miserable as people are now busy with more modern music, even though the melody of bhawaiya can touch the hearts of people from all ages, from all walks of life,’ Ferdausi Rahman told New Age.
‘Very few people and organisations are trying to revive the past glory of Bhawaiya, though the effort is very limited against the backdrop of the current situation of neglect.
‘However, we need to preserve and practice bhawaiya as it is an indigenous music genre that originated from the culture, lifestyle and, above all, the soil of Bangladesh,’ added the distinguished singer.
Ferdousi thinks that there is still hope to revive bhawaiya if the government comes forward. ‘I have said at many programmes and seminars about our demand, but the government did not pay any heed to our words,’ said the concerned artiste.
‘I am trying to make worthy bhawaiya singers through my music school Abbas Uddin Sangeet Academy, though it is a goal that cannot be achieved by individual effort. I urge the government to at least give us a piece of land somewhere in the city where we can build our Bhawaiya Bhavan,’ said Ferdousi.
Ferdausi Rahman is not only a bhawaiya singer but she used to sing classical and playbacks also. In her kaleidoscopic music career of over five decades the seasoned singer has won several prestigious awards including ). She was awarded President’s Pride of Performance Medal in 1965, the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 1973 and the Independence Day Award [Shadhinota Dibash Padak] in 1995.
In 1964, Ferdausi Rahman’s song was the first ever program broadcast in the newly established Pakistan Television in erstwhile East Pakistan now Bangladesh.
-With New Age input
