A portrait of a promising folksinger

Abu Bakar Siddiqui (L) performing at a programme

Talking about the current scenario of folksongs, Siddiqui says, "Ironically, today our traditional folksongs are more popular in the Bangla-speaking region of India than in Bangladesh. Often quality folksingers of Bangladesh are invited to perform in India."

Why does he predominantly opt for folksongs? Siddiqui says, "I started singing folksongs in my childhood. One day with my friends, I was singing at Dhaka Music College and co-incidentally, my rendition caught the attention of music exponent Laila Arjumand Banu, the then principal of the college. She advised me to seek admission at the college. So I began my studies and completed B Music and M Music from the institution. From then onwards I began singing folksongs. Later, I completed M Music in classical music from India. Besides, singing folksongs I regularly render classical songs at jalshas.

"Classical music singers are very versatile. My ability to render folksongs is a spin off from my practice of classical music. Nowadays, I fuse classical tunes with the folk genres. Moreover, I use western musical instruments during the rendition of folksongs, which I believe, improves the presentation of folksongs."

Siddiqui has also worked for the preservation of folksongs. To quote him, "In 1987, after an 'International Folklore Workshop' organised by the Bangla Academy, I worked with many renowned researchers such as Mostafa Zaman Abbasi, Dr Ashraf Siddiqui and a few foreign experts. During our fieldwork, we have collected many songs from the Manikganj, greater Mymensingh and greater Rajshahi divisions. In 1994-95, I came across an interesting folk tradition in Rajshahi region called Barasia, Alkab, Bhadu and Tusu. The tune of the melodious Barasia genre is derived from the blending of popular Bhawaia and Bhatiali. However, the lyrics and presentation style are melancholy. Alkab is rhythmic and the lyrics of the songs are light. The dramatic presentation of Bhadu and Tusu genres is similar to the Shong pala. The tune and lyric of both of the genres are akin to devotional songs such as Kirtan. The project has been discontinued, however. I have got the notation and lyrics of these songs and I teach my students these genres at the Bulbul academy of Fine Arts (BAFA)."

Siddiqui adds, "Though many singers render folk songs at home and abroad, in Bangladesh folksongs have been relegated as a topic of discussion in seminars and symposiums. Folksingers do not get their due respect in the country. Even, the death or birth anniversaries of Lalon Shah, Hasan Raja, Abbas Uddin, Abdul Alim and others are not celebrated in a big way."

A staff producer of Bangladesh Betar, Siddiqui says, "With its limited resources, Bangladesh Betar alone has provided support to folksongs and folksingers. TV channels, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangla Academy could certainly do more in the sphere of traditional folksongs."

So far Abu Bakar Siddiqui has released solo 12 folksongs albums. As a member of the government cultural team, he has visited Uzbekistan and Pakistan.