A gripping documentary

An eighty pound cake for the octogenarian

Reminiscences of artistes
While Kalim Sharafi, clad in blue khadi punjabi, came on stage, the artistes sang the song Nabo jiboner gaan and greeted the singer with great applause. Then Sharafi cut the five-storied, 80-pound cake along with his wife Naushaba Khatun and eminent Professor Zillur Rahaman Siddiqui, Wahidul Haq, Professor Anisuzzaman, Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, writer Selina Hossain and singer Tapan Mahmud.

'It may seem that 80 years is a long time, but for Kalim Sharafi it's not enough. We wish he would entertain us through his voice and other activities in future too,' said the chief guest, Zillur Rahman Siddiqui.

'Sharafi's rendering of Rabindra Sangeet is unique. On the other hand, Gano Sangeet (people's song) is also significant.' said Anisuzzaman.

Wahidul Haq, an exponent of Tagore said,' He is not only a Rabindra Sangeet artiste; he is also a rare fighter for the people's cause.'

Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, the first poem composer on Ekushey, said,' Kalim Sharafi always believes in true democracy and speaks his mind against evil, using culture as a media.'

Singer Tapan Mahmud, agreed that he was not in a position to say anything about this great singer. He blamed the media for not giving Sharafi proper coverage before.

The singer's wife Professor Naushaba Khatun also recalled some happy memories and shared those with the audience. A nostalgic Sharafi, in turn said, 'I have never believed in a meaningless life and tried my best to do something for the masses.'

Musical evening
After the discussion, a precise musical soiree was held where four prominent Rabindra Sangeet artistes sang for Kalim Sharafi. Fahmida Khatun rendered Prabhu amaro priyo amaro and Shakal janam bhare while Sadhan Ghosh performed Akash bhora surja tara and Pran bhoriye trisha horiye. Papiya Sarwar sang Bondhu tomai karbo raja and Laisa Ahmed Lisa also performed.

Sharafi in the eyes of the filmmaker
The film starts with Kalim Sharafi standing on his balcony, looking towards the infinity then sitting on a rocking chair and singing his favourite Rabindra Sangeet Ami jokhono chhilem mogono. Then the film unfolds the story of his life, struggle, and his voice for the reforms and freedom, despite the threats he received from the regime.

To give the documentary a realistic essence, he travelled to Kolkata, Birbhum and Shantiniketan. The film depicts the artiste's views at different stages of his life and also captures details of his friends. The artiste went to jail for participating in Gandhi's Quit India movement at a young age and the film displays Shiuri Jail where he was imprisoned. It also shows the scenes of Tatipara School, then Campbell Medical School, Calcutta Madrasa College and Shantiniketan--where the artiste passed his early years.

The documentary also consists of the interviews of eminent film director Mrinal Sen, Pranab Guhuthakurata and Khaled Chowdhury, the famous set designer of Rakta Karabi.

Moreover, the famous song of Kalim Sharafi from the film Surjasnan, Pathey Pathey Dilam Chharaiya has also been used in the documentary. With Faruque Al Mamun's editing the tale is narrated by Jayanto Chattapadhay.