Aynal Boyati: The living voice of ‘Bichar Gaan’

The octogenarian Aynal Boyati is a very popular name in the locality for his distinctive presentation of ‘Bichar Gaan,’ a special kind of folk song. This sub-genre of ‘Murshidi’ or ‘Bhab Gaan’ usually has religious and spiritual themes and is sung by two competing groups of ‘Boyati.’ The subjects usually encompass the relationships between guru and his disciple, men-women, Shariyah-Marfat, creation and love, among others.
Following in the footsteps of renowned folk singer Abul Halim Boyati, today he is the senior most personality in the sub-genre. Born in Premtara village of Satoyor union in Faridpur district, his late parents were Golap Mia Al Chisti and Abedunnesa Khatun. Interestingly, at the age of 23 he started serving as a constable in the police department and continued for eight years. However, he got the sack for a dispute with a sub-inspector. Later Aynal devoted himself to ‘Bichar Gaan’ and sang with the troupes of noted folk singers Khaleq Dewan, Malek Dewan, Rajab Ali Dewan, Matal Razzak, Dalil Uddin and Marfot Ali Shaheb.
Aynal Boyati is married to Monowara Begum. The couple has five sons and three daughters. Aynal was in close contact with ‘Polli Kobi’ Jasimuddin, noted ‘dotara’ player Kanai Lal Shil and folk singer Kuti Monsur of Faridpur. Among Aynal’s disciples are famed artistes Kangalini Sufia and Momtaj.
Today, music lovers can access his songs through 286 cassettes, produced by Soundtek, Prova Audio and other such recording studios. Many of his fans go for volumes such as “Tui Amar Jibon,” “Tatwa Ratna,” “Bhab Manzur” and “Karbala.” Aynal is also a well-known artiste of BTV, Bangladesh Betar and other private channels. In fact he had played the role of a Baul in Tareque and Catherine Masud’s acclaimed film “Matir Moina.”
Aynal has rendered ‘Bichar Gaan’ in all corners of Bangladesh, particularly Netrakona, Tangail, Khulna, Pabna, Bikrampur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Manikganj, Rajbari, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Barisal. His art has also taken him several times to various parts of India.
Aynal Boyati is accompanied by a five-member troupe comprising Md. Harun, Md. Farhad Mia, Md. Jamal Mia, Md. Ratan and Shamin. They perform on the ‘dhol,’ harmonium, ‘banshi’ and ‘mondira.’ Aynal himself plays his favorite ‘sharianda,’ which he has done for the last 51 years.
Unfortunately, the renowned, elderly folk singer is deep in penury today, which this correspondent discovered during a visit to his home in Sadipur under Sadar upazila of Faridpur. His home is in close proximity to the rapidly eroding banks of the Padma river.
One of the incidents that stick in his memory is the case lodged against him for his song “Allah-r Chokhey Allah Dekhey.” However, Aynal had the last laugh when he won the case.
Quoting Socrates, Aynal says “Know Thyself” — the best route to self-discovery and an understanding of the cosmos. “Through my journey with ‘Bichar Gaan,’ I have discovered both,” he asserts, while concluding that he is dead against the aggression of foreign cultures.

Courtesy of The Daily Star