When the seasoned singer Mustafa Zaman Abbasi started a very popular traditional number Rongila nau-er majhi in his stentorian voice modulation, the urban audience could relate themselves to the roots.
His velvety voice effortlessly flowing between highs and lows of the octave created perfect narrative of the Jasimuddin’s song that narrate the pictorial beauty of the countryside in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
He was brilliant not only in narrating the serenity of nature depicted in the song composed by his father Abbas Uddin Ahmed, but was also perfect in articulating the human emotion as narrated in the mid-stave – Tumi ei ghate lagaiya nao/ nigum kotha koiya jao.
Truly, the sigh of a lonely wife waiting for the reunion with her beloved in the melodious traditional bhawaiya song moved the houseful audience on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Gulshan.
The renowned folk singer and researcher Mustafa Zaman Abbasi presented a number of traditional bhawaiya and chatka popularised by the legendary singer and composer Abbas Uddin Ahmed.
He also rendered popular Tagore and Nazrul songs that made the programme diverse and entertaining one for the audience.
The singer presented two Rabindra Sangeets, three Nazrul Sangeets, one ghazal and many traditional songs.
He began the show with a traditional number Kon ronge bandhaichho gharkhana. He then presented the famous sentimental, allegorical number Fande poriya boga kande re that is another number hugely popular till date. Abbasi’s emotional and flexible voice seemed to render the feeling of a trapped bird that fell for a tiny fish.
Another famous Abbas Uddin song Allah megh de pani de was a piece well received by the few, but captivated, audience. The song is still a popular seasonal number that represents the imploring to the Almighty for rain after a long burning summer.
Other popular traditional numbers that Abbasi presented on request included Amay eto rate keno dak, Oki bondhu kajol bhromora, Je jon premer bhab jane na, O amar dorodi age janle, O ki garial bhai.
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi also entertained the audience with background stories of the songs and his related personal memories. The folk singer-researcher also spoke of the present situation of folk practice in the country. ‘Tradition is being unjustly relegated; so are traditional singers. It is a bad sign for us. We need to promote and preserve our heritage,’ said Abbasi.
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi also implored the fraternity among all by saying, ‘only a strong and healthy cultural practice can bind people together.’
His presentation of Tagore number was also very catchy. He did not begin it typically; rather he suddenly began Yad aye kina aye tumhare. It took no time for the audience to understand that he is rendering Tagore’s famous Mone robe kina robe amare in Hindi. After the beginning stave in Hindi, the singer switched to Bangla. Similarly pleasing was his presentation of Tagore’s Jaboi ami jaboi.
Referring to Nazrul as a symbol of secularity, Abbasi presented the poet’s O bhai hindu mussalman, Othre chasi jogotbasi. On request, he also presented Padmar dheu re.
The singer concluded the evening, that was too grand to forget, with the romantic number Oi na madhobi bone, where his niece popular Nazrul singer Nashid Kamal joined him on stage. The duet rendering of the song made the end remarkable.
‘Mustafa Zaman Abbasi has a unique voice for the traditional songs. It is a privilege to listen to him,’ said MA Rahman who came to enjoy the evening on the day.
‘I will expect more such evenings to listen to Abbasi,’ said another audience Abidur Hossain.
-With New Age input