Syed Abdul Hadi's love for Nazrul Sangeet

Towering figure of the music industry Syed Abdul Hadi has been captivating audiences with his melodic voice for over decades. Although he is widely known as an adhunik and a playback singer, he has much experience in Nazrul Sangeet and released a Nazrul Sangeet album several years ago. In a recent conversation with The Daily Star, he spoke about Nazrul Sangeet and more. Excerpts:

Tell us how the release of the Nazrul Sangeet album came about?

Hadi: That was a long time ago. So far as I can recall, Kamal Dasgupta came to Dhaka in 1965, when HMV opened its office in Dhaka. I started my career in HMV under his guidance. Kalim Sharafi took HMV to Dhaka and they started with its office in Mothijheel. However, they closed their office after some days and left Dhaka. On the arrival of HMV, my songs were possibly recorded first. The tracks were “Eto Jol Kajol Chokhe” and “Adkhan Chand Hashichhe Akashe”.

How did you meet Kamal Dasgupta?

Hadi: The great musician Abdul Ahad talked to him about me. My first gramophone record started with two songs on Nazrul.  Kamal Dasgupta was not such a fluent speaker. I believe that the recordings of two of my tracks really pleased him which was great achievement for me.

After this, didn't you try to render more Nazrul songs?

Hadi: I did. Kamal Dasgupta then asked me to perform a duet with Feroza Begum. I felt really lucky to get the chance to sing with a great singer like her.

Did you sing any songs on Nazrul for Radio?

Hadi: Yes, I rendered a number of songs on Nazrul there. Apart from this, once I even performed Rabindra Sangeet at Betar. Later, I became very busy with adhunik and playbacks. Due to this, I couldn't manage time to perform Nazrul Sangeet but I have a plan to release a Nazrul Sangeet album.

Why does the new generation of singers show so little interest in Nazrul songs?

Hadi: They don't want to prepare themselves thoroughly for Nazrul Sangeet performances. They are not interested in this because they want to become stars overnight. This is my personal opinion.