Story of flute-maker Mokammel Hossain
At the age of 80, flute-maker Mokammel Hossain is not only engaged in his trade but also does agricultural work. In his younger days he was widely recognised and made a respectable income. Today, however, he is in dire straits and barely manages to maintain his family.
Going back to the days when he was at the peak of his career, Hossain told this correspondent at his village home in Aruakandi that he played the flute professionally for Titas Opera in Jhenidah as well as in greater Jessore district.
His reputation grew, as he was a talented flute-maker and flutist. Among the many people who trained under him were Komol Sarkar, Pier Ali, Madhu Mia, Firoz Ali and Chand Ali. All of them are comfortably off now.
Hossain has however fallen on bad times. He said he cannot go to distant markets any more and depends on wholesalers to come to his house and buy flutes.
He also pointed out that his output per day has decreased due to poor eyesight. Moreover, the crucial input ‘Nali’ bamboo, out of which he fashioned his flutes, is not available any longer, he lamented. Sales have dropped significantly. He pointed that he used to have a large income when jatra and Jarigaan were staged in every nook and corner of the villages in the mid-’70s. Today, he sells a flute at Taka 20-25, while a large flute goes for Taka 70-80.
As a consequence of his fading eyesight and the other factors, he can make only 50 flutes a week. However, even in his twilight years, he has no choice but to make flutes so that he can make ends meet. What’s worse is that he is neglected by his two sons, while his six daughters have been married off and therefore cannot lend a helping hand.
Hossain said that he has no desire left, apart from making livelihood. He counts his days now, he added, pointing that he would leave this world unnoticed and uncared for.
Akbar Saijee, a Lalon devotee of Dudrajpur village, said that Hossain’s flutes were once widely used in the area. “We used his flute in our pala gaan,” he asserted.
