Shakila and her endeavours
As I take out my little note book, in comes Shakila Zafar, with her famous mile- long smile and her sweet high pitched welcome. After sharing the usual greetings and going over some familiar personalities between us, I raise the first query lingering on my mind, 'After all your peppy moderns, now, you are coming out with a Rabindra album. What is the idea behind it?'
'No idea at all', she smiles. 'You would not probably believe if I told you that Tagore songs have always played and lived within me ever since I was a little girl.' Shakila says that her passion for Rabindra compositions comes from her oldest maternal uncle, Manzur Ahmed, who used to do his rewaz, with little Shakila sitting besides him. 'I would try to follow the path made by his fingers on his harmonium, when he would leave the room and sing the Tagore song, which he would be singing just a while ago.' recalls Shakila fondly.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. But why a Rabindra album now? 'Well, I just couldn't say no when Dr, Arup Ratan Choudhury offered me the idea. This album, titled Shey Din Dujoney, had actually come out around 8-9 years back. But now the whole project is being done all over again.'
'Soundtek' will release this album officially on the 5th of August. 'That's right. Along with that, Soundtek will also release a VCD, with the video versions of five of my Tagore songs.' She remarks.
She then informs me very enthusiastically, 'I am really very thankful to Arupda, who is also a family physician. He has also sung 5 numbers in this album and both of us have done a few duets as well. I am also thankful to Khurshid Khan, who skilfully composed the music for all the numbers in the album. Mustafa Kamal who has designed the covers, helped me in selecting the songs, had this album sized up. Tapan Mahmud, was of an immense help as well. He helped me with all my numbers and was of a great support,' she says with all her enthusiasm and excitement bursting out for this album which will be released today.
'I hope the listeners and the music lovers will appreciate this album.' She remarks. Yet another Rabindra shilpi, and building up the cultural blocks, till sky is the limit.