A boost for Bangla music

Being a member of an illustrious music family, Quazi Rownaq Hossain had a passion for music from his childhood when eminent Tagore singer, Kalim Sharafi used to come to their Segunbagicha residence to teach him along with his cousins –pioneering Tagore singers –Sanjida Khatun and Fahmida Khatun --in the same building.   

Later, when singer, organiser and Tagore exponent Waheedul Haq, his wife Dr. Sanjida Khatun and other luminaries founded Chhayanaut in 1961, Rownaq enrolled himself as a student of Sitar at the cultural institution.

What has made his contribution to music more focused is that of his publication of Bangladesh's lone music magazine “Sargam”. He has been the editor of the monthly for 20 years.

“'Sargam' regularly comes out on the first day of every month and offers an array of news, interviews, features, biographies of music maestros along with regular items like Swaralipi of Chhoragaan (rhymes) and popular Bengali songs of Bangladesh and India, music lessons for the students and emerging artistes,” said Quazi Rownaq Hossain.

“We exclusively cover Baul songs, diverse Bangladeshi folk genres, Panchakobir Gaan, musical programmes across the country and life sketches of maestros including, Ustad Bade Golam Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood, Subir Sen, Antara Chowdhury, Anup Jalota, Jagjit Singh, Alka Yagnik, Anup Ghoshal and Shreya Ghoshal,” added Hossain.

The 64-page magazine that fulfills the demands of 70% readers of Bangladesh, costs only Taka 35. Quazi Rownaq Hossain is also the President of “Sargam Cultural Troupe” that regularly organises cultural programmes marking birth anniversary celebrations of Tagore, Nazrul and noted folk bards and onset of seasons like monsoon and spring.

“We also offer music training for learners and artistes. Karim Shahabuddin, Karim Hassan Khan, Swapan Kumar Das and Pankaj Basu regularly take music classes for the troupe. Besides, our artistes take part in choral performances for many important events,” mentioned Quazi Rownaq Hossain.             

Rownaq's wife Ulka Hossain is a special grade artiste of BTV who emerged out from Notun Kuri Competition aired on BTV.