"Artists at the district level face discrimination"

Music producer and singer at the Chittagong Radio Centre, Rahim has been performing for 30 years. As a folk singer, he is also an enlisted artiste of Bangladesh Television (BTV). Rahim has released eight solo albums in Chittagong.

Rahim says, "Because of the massive popularity of television, radio singers do not get sufficient recognition. And so artistes like myself, who are more involved with radio programmes, hardly get any recognition amongst the greater audience across the country. That is why, I think artistes at the district level who get less chance to perform on TV face discrimination," says Rahim.

Rahim began his music lessons while at school. Prabadh Dewan was his first mentor. Later, he learnt folk music from Mohammed Shah Bangali. He learnt classical music from Ustad Abul Hossain, AK Mezbahuddin Ahmed and Abul Hossain. Although Rahim also performs Nazrul songs, he prefers folk songs. As he says, "The lyrics and tunes of folk music are close to my heart. Music is my profession. But, folk music is my passion." Of all the folk genres, Rahim likes Bhabtatta (spiritual) most, because the songs carry a deeper meaning."I also like mystic songs of Gurutatta, Lalon, Hason Raja, Krishna Kirtan and Maijbhandar. I am also a passionate fan of the regional songs of Chittagong," Rahim says.

On the distinctive style of Maijbhandar, Rahim says, "It is a kind of regional song of Chittagong. It was introduced at the Maijbhandar Darbar Sharif, the famous religious shrine."

On the contemporary remix of popular folk songs Rahim says, "Remixes of any genre have a short life. Only a veteran singer's heartfelt tunes remain evergreen."

Abdur Rahim is a keen proponent of research work in the realm of folk music. As he says, "I think in every Shipakala Academy at the district level there should be some research work on folk music so that the rich indigenous songs remain etched in the public memory."