Abid Anwar
Instantly recognised as an exceptional Tagore singer, Anup Bhattacharya expanded his musical talent to emerge as an extraordinary composer of modern and Baul songs, with many pieces sung by the composer himself. Those who are exposed to Anup’s tonality in Nazrul songs will readily recognise him with the popular phrase ‘many-in-one’.
“Boishakhi Megher Kachhey Jol Cheye” sung by Rafiqul Alam and “Shuk Pakhi Rey Pinjira Tor” by Mitali Mukherjee heralded the marvellous entry of Anup Bhattacharya as a composer of modern songs. Lyrics of these two songs were written by Abul Hayat Mohammad Kamal and Mohammad Rafiquzzaman respectively. It may not be imprudent to remark: these two songs were also among the brightest hallmarks for these vocalists.
Anup’s own tonality as a singer of modern and Baul songs, mostly in his own composition, is characterised by outpouring of articulate expression well blended with melody. When asked to list some of his most successful creations — both as a composer and a singer, he mentioned “Kichhu Bolo Na”, “Amar Ek Janala Akash Chhara”, “Na Bolo Na” and “Aguner Rongo Porabey Ongo” written by Mohammad Rafiquzzaman; “Konodin Kono Oboshorey” and “Bohudin Holo Bhengechhi Ghor” by Abu Zafar etc.
He also mentioned his most favourite creations sung by others: “Ekattorer Juddher Diney” by Andrew Kishore; “Pakhi Janey Na Keno Kandey” by Farida Parveen; “Lalon Tomar Aarshinagar” by Dilruba Khan and Salma; “Notey Gachh Moraeye Na” by Samina Nabi, among others. Last year, Anup recorded 30 modern songs, in an album of three CDs, in Kolkata. The album is awaiting release by the end of 2011. The lyrics have been written mostly by Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, and some by Abu Zafar and Abid Anwar.
Apart from his own musical pursuit, Anup Bhattacharya contributed enormously in the process of popularising Tagore songs in Bangladesh as Vice-president of Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, founded 23 years back. He held this position till the death of its President Kalim Sharafi. For the first time, he introduced Radha Raman to the broader audience of Bangladesh through singing his masterpiece “Bhromor Koiyo Giya” in a BTV presentation directed by Khan Ataur Rahman in early 1990. This is now widely sung throughout the country.
Enlisted as a singer in Rajshahi station of Radio Pakistan, Anup started his journey as a vocalist on March 11, 1963 through presentation of Tagore songs. Rajshahi station was only second to the Dhaka station in the then East Pakistan in terms of infrastructure and the date of establishment; this also testifies his pioneering role in popularising Tagore songs in Bangladesh. Anup was enlisted as a composer and music director in Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War. He participated as a singer in almost all chorus songs produced and broadcast by Swadhin Bangla Betar Kandra.
Born in Sylhet, Anup Bhattacharya spent his childhood and youth in Rajshahi city with his parents — Debendra Nath Bhattacharya and Snehalata Bhattacharya. He was mentored, in his musical pursuit, by Kshirode Lal Roy and Pandit Harpada Das of Rajshahi city.
Retired as a senior executive of Sonali Bank, he is now more inclined to creating songs that have ascetic flavour. Anup is married to Uma Bhattacharya, and they have two daughters — Boishakhi Bhattacharya and Trisha Bhattacharya, both of whom are promising vocalists.
In our humble tribute to this artiste with gifted versatility, we must regret that his talent is under-utilised.
(Article originally published on The Daily Star)
The writer is poet, essayist and lyricist.
