Prominent folk singer late Bipul Bhattacharya was recalled at a commemorative programme held at the auditorium of Chhayanaut in Dhanmondi on Friday. The programme comprised of music, film screening and a discussion session on the life and work of Bipul Bhattacharya, who passed away on July 5.
Dr. Sarwar Ali, vice-president of Chhayanaut, and Tareq Ali, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, delivered speech on the artiste. They observed that the history of music of Bangladesh would be incomplete without the enormous contributions of Bipul Bhattacharya, who was a voice freedom fighter and one of the most devoted singers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He risked his life to sing at freedom fighter camps in remote areas of the country during the war of independence.
The speakers also revealed that as an artiste Bhattacharya is a role model for aspiring singers. His voice and singing were unmatchable. The speakers mentioned that it is unfortunate for the people and also for the country that the artiste has departed this world at an age of 58.
Chhayanaut artistes presented songs in chorus to pay tribute to the singer. The powerful lyrics and the melodious composition of the evergreen number Emon manob ar ki hobey moved the audience. Another chorus recital Bolo bolo bolo rey sobey also touched the listeners.
The music and discussion session was followed by screening of Muktir Gaan. Directed by late Tareque Masud, the documentary shows the activities of Bipul Bhattacharya during those days as an artiste in a troupe called Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha, which used to boost the spirit of freedom fighters through music at the camps.
Bipul Bhattacharya was born in Sholakia of Kishoreganj in 1955. He used to travel and sing only at the age of 16 to inspire the freedom fighters in 1971. The songs ignited the patriotic sentiments of the common people as well as the soldiers on the battlefield. Besides, Bhattacharya was an eminent folk artiste, who achieved the first place in folk music category in all Pakistan Music Competition in 1970. He died recently after suffering for the past few years from lung cancer.
-With New Age input
