Friday, November 22, 2024

Musical notes from Down Under

Tête à tête with Akhtar Jahan
“I’m Akhtar Jahan, a singer, and a have a band in Australia,” read the cryptic text message. That got me thinking — could this be the same Akhtar Jahan with a remarkable voice, whom I had last heard at the Chhayanaut programmes just before the start of the Liberation War? When she confirmed my guess, I agreed to meet her to catch up and talk about her long music career.
“Man proposes and God disposes,” said Jahan, fondly known as Safa. “I always wanted to stay in my own country to pursue music but I had to settle abroad during the Liberation War.”
“Music was always my passion. When I was hardly six, I joined Mukul Fauj where Sanjida Khatun and Abdul Latif taught us to sing. While studying in Quamrunnessa Girls High School I enrolled at the Sunday Music School. There I trained under music exponents Abdul Ahad and Bedaruddin Ahmed. Later I took lessons under the virtuoso singer Laila Arjumand Banu. My father, Md. Hafizur Rahman, was the central minister in the erstwhile Pakistan, and had conservative views while my mother Anwara Begum was the driving inspiration behind my music career. I remember she sang lullabies to me and could play the esraj very well also.
In 1966, Jahan trained with Ustad Munir Hossain Khan. In Lahore, where she studied BA in music, she trained under Ustad Abdur Rahman. In that year, Jahan competed in three genres of music in the East Pakistan Education week and won two gold and one silver medals in folk, ghazal and Rabindra Sangeet respectively. From 1966 she began performing on Dhaka Television.
She completed her Masters in Psychology in 1970 with a first class (first) degree and was appointed to teach Tagore songs at Chhayanaut. Here she came across music director, Ustad Azad Rahman, and decided to resume her training in classical music. “Under him, I recorded some memorable songs for Dhaka Radio, and released my first EMI single of Nazrul songs,” says Jahan.
As the war broke out in 1971, Jahan was forced to leave her country and settle in Australia with her family. “I was lost to the cultural scene, something that I could never have imagined,” said Jahan.
Besides working as a psychologist she became involved in the cultural programmes of Indian and Bangladeshi communities, taking active part in committees, as well, performing, with just her harmonium.
Did she miss the cultural circuit? “I missed the Dhaka cultural scene very much. I got amateur musicians (colleagues, etc) to accompany me during performances. I took training in opera and vocal rendition.
“Soon I got involved in different multicultural festivals in and around Adelaide. I joined the Musicians’ Union of Adelaide. Once a week, I had rehearsals with the musicians, to build the repertoire. Thus we formed different groups: ‘Akhter Jahan & Friends’, ‘Band a La Desh’ and ‘Shoor Jahan’.
“Soon I came across several eminent jazz players and formed a group of my own. Jazz music and our classical music are quite similar since both have scope for improvisation,” adds Jahan.
“It was not until the late 1980s that ABC approached me after a ‘Concert of the East’ organised by MAC (the Multicultural Arts Committee, of which I was a member.
“The ABC commissioned an hour’s recording. I met Keith Preston, a self-taught Buzouki player, who agreed to work with me. I requested Gurmukh, a Sikh amateur tabla player as well. We found a guitarist, who had played with an Indian singer, Daya Singh. We held rehearsals twice a week. I trained the Australian musicians in ragas so that they could accompany me with as much of a sub-continental flavour as possible.
“I called various cultural centres in Adelaide and sent them our resumes to generate interest in our music. The first professionally recorded demo tape included a folk song: This was sent to the producer of one of the multicultural programmes of the ABC in Melbourne, who immediately approached me to interview me, and to commission an hour’s recording of songs.”
Three of Jahan’s CDs, titled “Agey Janle Tor Bhanga Noukaye Chortam Na”, “Mor Beena Othey Kon Shurey Baji” and “Akangkha” will be launched today at the National Press Club with eminent personality Anisuzzaman as chief guest. Tagore exponent Professor Anisur Rahman and noted singer Maleka Azim Khan will be present as special guests.
“A collection of Tagore songs, folk and a mixed album respectively, I was extremely pleased to have directed the music for all 3 CDs,” she says.
“This is a very special day for me,” she added. For someone who has nurtured her musical talent despite such counting challenges, we can only wish her well in her ardent pursuit of music.

-With The Daily Star input

Related News

Runa Laila’s birthday celebrated

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com The 72nd birthday of legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila was celebrated in Dhaka on Sunday. A celebrated artiste with over 10,000 songs in 18 languages, Runa Laila’s channel offers a mix of Bollywood hits, Bengali folk, and patriotic songs, cementing her legacy in the global music scene. She expressed gratitude for ... Read more

Dhaka International Folk Festival set to make its grand comeback

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com The Dhaka International Folk Festival is set to make a vibrant comeback in January 2025 after a five-year break, much to the delight of folk music lovers. The festival’s organizer Sun Communications Limited recently confirmed the dates and venue, stirring excitement among folk music enthusiasts. Scheduled to run from January 23 ... Read more

Singer Moni Kishore’s body recovered from Rampura flat

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Police recovered the body of singer Moni Kishore from a house in the capital’s Rampura area last night (19 October). Police recovered the body at about 11:30PM on Saturday from his house behind Rampura TV centre. Rampura Police Station SI Khan Abdur Rahman said, “At 10PM, owner of the house called ... Read more

Artcell celebrates 25 years on their milestone USA tour

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Iconic Bangladesh rock band Artcell is making waves across the United States. The Bangladeshi band is celebrating 25 years of their glorious music on tour. Today they’ll bring their high-energy performance to Denver, already causing a stir among fans as part of their anniversary tour. Artcell kicked off their US tour ... Read more

Shujeo Shyam passes away

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Renowned Ekushey Padak recipient and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Shujeo Shyam has passed away. The acclaimed singer died while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital around 2:50 am on Friday. He was 78. His daughter Rupa Monjuri Shyam confirmed the news of his death to media. Sujeo ... Read more

Atif Aslam is returning to Dhaka in November

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam, beloved by Bangladeshi fans, is set to return to Dhaka next month for another live performance. Known for several hits like “O Lamhe,” “Aadat,” and “Tu Jaane Na,” Atif has performed in Dhaka several times before, drawing massive crowds with each visit. The upcoming concert, titled ... Read more

Pakistani band Jal to perform in Dhaka on 27 September

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Popular Pakistani band Jal, who gave hit songs like ‘Adaat’ and ‘Sajni’, is coming to Bangladesh to entertain Bangladeshi audience. The band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Goher Mumtaz has confirmed their upcoming trip to Dhaka on his official Facebook page. He shared a concert photo on Friday on Facebook and wrote: ... Read more

Disney songwriter Richard M Sherman dies at 95

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Disney legend Richard M Sherman, who wrote songs for Disney film classics such as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has died aged 95 in Beverly Hills. Sherman partnered with his late brother Robert, and the pair won two Oscars in 1965 for their work on Mary Poppins. Disney announced ... Read more

‘Odd Signature’ vocalist Piyal killed in road accident

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com In an unfortunate turn of events, the car carrying members of the musical band Odd Signature met with a deadly accident in front of Dream Holiday Park in Panchdona, Narsingdi, while en route to Sylhet. Tragically, the driver, Salam, and one of the band members, Ahasan Tanvir Pial, lost their lives ... Read more

BTS’ Jungkook to release first solo album ‘Golden’

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com BigHit Music has announced the launch of BTS member Jung Kook’s debut solo album titled ‘GOLDEN.’ Inspired by his standout moments, the album is a tribute to Jung Kook’s journey both as BTS’s youngest member and as a solo artist. The album will drop on November 3, 2023. “Golden” will comprise ... Read more

Music video of ‘Aaij Kaail Aai Aile’ released

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Young singer Zahed Parvej Pabel released the music video of a song in the local dialect of Chattogram region titled Aaij Kaail Aai Aile on his official YouTube channel recently, said a press release. The song has been written and tuned by Sirajul Islam Azad. The music video has been directed ... Read more

Lucky Ali to perform in Dhaka next month

News Desk : dhakamirror.com Noted Indian singer, songwriter and actor Lucky Ali is set to perform live in Dhaka on 6 October. Buy Here Now made the announcement from their official Facebook page and said, “The curtains are up on the final pioneer – welcoming the timeless Lucky Ali Live in Dhaka on October 6th ... Read more

Florida Keys underwater music show promotes coral reef conservation

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Hundreds of divers and snorkelers took part in the event. Hundreds of divers and snorkelers have listened to an underwater concert that advocated coral reef protection in the Florida Keys. The Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival, which also spotlighted eco-conscious diving, took place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the ... Read more

30 bands to feature performance at Dhaka Summer Con

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com The country’s biggest pop culture festival, Dhaka Summer Con 2023 will be held over three days from July 13-15 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. 30 bands will perform on one stage at the first-ever Dhaka Summer Con to be held at Hall 3 and Hall 4 ... Read more

Madonna had to be ‘brought back from the dead’ using Narcan injection, sources claim

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Madonna was allegedly found unresponsive on Saturday, June 24, and had to be “brought back from the dead” by medical personnel. According to reports by Radar, the “Like a Virgin” singer was given a NARCAN injection to resuscitate her. NARCAN — also known as naxalone — is sometimes administered in emergency ... Read more

Madonna’s Celebration tour kickoff in jeopardy as pop icon is ‘weak’ from bacterial infection

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Madonna, the iconic pop sensation, was set to embark on her highly anticipated world tour in just 10 days. However, she is now facing uncertainty about whether to start her Celebration tour. Recent health updates about the songstress’ recovery from a severe bacterial infection suggest a challenging road ahead. According to ... Read more

Foo Fighters rock with Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane to drum onstage at Boston Calling

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane once again honoured his late father as Foo Fighters embark on their summer tour. On Friday, the 17-year-old joined the band onstage to perform their 1995 hit I’ll Stick Around during the band’s headlining performance at the Boston Calling music festival. Midway through the 20-song set, Foo ... Read more

Shams Ahmed won Emmy Award for Music Direction as first Bangladeshi-American

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com Music Director Shams Ahmed has become the first Bangladeshi-American to win an Emmy award for Music direction for a Super Bowl LVII piece, “Ragged old flag”, at the 44th Sport Emmys. Shams Ahmed announced the news on his Facebook along with his Emmy award. “To receive this award is an honor ... Read more

“Deora” sets records on YouTube, gains popularity globally

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com The fifth song from Coke Studio Bangla’s second season, “Deora,” debuted on May 7 and has since taken over YouTube. Surprisingly, the song racked up over 21 million views in just 11 days, breaking a record on the platform. The song “Bhaber Pagal” by Nigar Sumi and Jalali Set previously had ... Read more

Ticket price for Anuv Jain Live in Dhaka announced

Entertainment Desk : dhakamirror.com After much anticipation, “Anuv Jain Live in Dhaka” concert ticket prices have been announced through a joint statement by Adventure Communications and Triple Time Communications. The announcement was made through Adventor Communications official Facebook page Wednesday night (10 May). Triple Time Communications and Adventor Communications will jointly organise the event. “The ... Read more