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Shaheen Samad: preserving the Nazrul legacy

13 May 2004, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Sadya Afreen Mallick
13 May 2004, 18:00 PM
Shaheen Samad is among the select few artistes who have devoted their efforts to spreading Nazrul songs at home and abroad. This is important, since, we are passing through a time when listeners are drifting away from the traditional to contemporary alien music.

Shaheen Samad's songs of Nazrul in the latest CD, titled Obhishar, is a mixed collection of semi-classical and art songs. The rich music composition by Durbadal Chattopadhyay and the variety of songs will surely appeal to the listeners. Her typical voice modulation or gayaki has changed for a more mature presentation over the years.

The opening song in Shaheen's CD, Tobo ganer bhashay shurey, is composed by Kamal Das Gupta. Jai go choley jai is based on a western tune. Dur bonantey potho bhuli is a ghazal based on raga Behag and misra Hambir. Shaheen's presentation of Aj nishithey obhishaar is a love song based on raga Pilu khambaj. Sri Harimati first recorded the song on October 1935. Sakhiri dekheto and Prem Nagar ka thikana are Nazrul's Hindi compositions, which will be welcomed particularly in an audience not abreast with his creative capabilities.

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In the year 1928-32 Nazrul was the chief trainer and composer of the Gramophone Company of India. His compositions were recorded by celebrated singers like Indu Bala, Angur Bala, K Mallick, Pratibha Basu, Kamol Das Gupta and Abbasuddin Ahmed.

In 1928, Tagore inaugurated the first electronic recording system of His Master's Voice (HMV). Recognised as the most influential music persona of the age, Nazrul was made the chief trainer, composer and lyricist of the HMV, the most critical and important position in the recording company.

Nazrul composed around 1000 religious songs, which include Islamic songs, Shyama sangeet and Kirton. These songs reveal his vast knowledge of Hindu mythological literature and his unique ability to render them into songs. No other Bangali poet is found to have composed Shyama sangeet and Kirton on such a variety of themes, and set to such musical variety. Bijon gothey key sung by Shaheen belongs to the Baul genre, while Amar hatey kali is a devotional song.

Shaheen's voice with filigree work is typically suited for ghazals of Nazrul. The CD titled Obhishar is yet another venture of Bengal Foundation to promote the waning legacy of Nazrul songs.