"I developed a love-affair with music," Islamuddin Palakar

Islamuddin Palakar (C) with his team members

"Encouraged by watching Jatra, I joined the folk theatre in 1980 inspired by my elder brother late Foyzur Rahman. My academic life came to an end in class four," said Islamuddin.

In a nostalgic and lyrical tone, he said "I developed a love-affair with music." This passion prompted him to leave home and go to Rajibpur village in Kendua, Netrokona. There he worked as an apprentice in 1988 with Kuddus Bisati and took his first lessons in Palagan.

Meanwhile Islamuddin's family and community members presumed that he was dead, until he returned nine months later. Subsequently in December 1988 he formed a music team titled "Islamuddin Palakar and his group".

"I began my journey in the sphere of music by performing Kamalarani Sagardighi. The occasion was a programme arranged by Karimganj Shilpakala Academy, to celebrate Victory Day on December 16 in 1988," recalled a gleeful Islamuddin.

"I want to survive in the heart of the rural communities as well as those who love their roots. I want to survive through my disciples," said an emotional Islamuddin.

Islamuddin, offspring of late Robiullah and late Amena Khatun, was born in Noabad village in Karimganj, Kishoreganj on August 2, 1969. With the exception of some parts of the northern region, his singing and dancing took him almost all over the country.

He married Jafura Akhter in 1992. In 1999, he also attended a programme in London at the invitation of Bangladesh government while NTV aired some of his programmes. He has composed about 500/600 Palagans till date, including Gule Hormuj Gyan Byakul Kanya, Ram Birum, Utola Sundari, Sundarmoti, Jahangir Badshah, Horbula Sundari, which have gained immense popularity across the country.

His music team now includes Fazlur Rahman, who plays the harmonium, Joj Mianh, drummer, Abdul Alim, flute player, Shahid Mianh and Abdul Kader, who plays cymbals.