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Dhaka Day by Day

Old Wine in a New Bottle

by Aasha Mehreen Amin
Folk music and mystic songs are, compared to other types, closer to the heart of Bangladesh. The delightful notes of the ektara’, dotara' or 'tabla' and moving lyrics of folk songs reverberate tlmelessly In our minds, in our souls. But how would these songs sound like when played on a Western instrument — say a piano? Manzoor Ahmed, a pianist from Dhaka has introduced an unconventional approach to folk music. He has brought out a cassette of popular folk songs played on the piano with a few traditional accompaniments. The album titled Eastern Pianos and recorded by CBS Gramophone Record Company (India) integrates the music of different parts of Bangladesh such as Lalon Geetl, Hason Raja, Bhatlali and other traditional folk songs — aty played on the piano.
When asked why he decided to use this novel approach Ahmed promptly says that he always wanted to project his culture through a Western Instrument like the piano which the outside world could relate to. In addition, Ahmed wishes to introduce the piano to a culture, namely ours, that is somewhat apathetic to this instrument. Says this innovative musician. "Everybody knows what these songs are. They have been with us for generations. This music will appeal to people because It captures the emotions of songs which they are familiar with and which represent their culture, their way of life."
Although he never went through much formal training. Ahmed's relationship with the piano has been long and lasting. Born into a music-ori ented family Ahmed started to play the piano since he was barely 12 years old. As a young man during the 60s he used to be a regular visitor at the Gerrnitn CUfMi'al Institute then in Motgheel. which had plaqo recitals by famous German artists. T was totally taken by the way they could
ment," says Ahmed. Later, Ahmed took lessons from Father Banas of Notre Dame College and then from Khondokar Nurul Alam for two years. Says Ahmed enthusiastically, "When he (Khon dokar Nurul Alam) taught me the mathematical fraction of piano notation, everything became open and I knew I would play any notation
With this basic foundation, Ahmed began to learn as much as possible through books, tapes etc about modern piano music. During this time he created a few of hfs own compositions, sometimes mixing eastern and western tones.
But bringing out Eastern Pianos seems to be ' his real dream come true. Listening to it, it is easy to see why the music would appeal to most people. Ahmed plays soft, mellow notes that arc consistent throughout all the songs. There Is nothing very tumultuous or Intense about the music. Yet.lt is very smooth, soothing and sweet. In Hason Raja's Loke Bale, Bale Re. Ahmed s piano seems to bring out the tranquillity of a vil-l-«e seem with sweet, fluttering trills. In Kolo Kolo Chholo Chholo' (Abdul Aziz), he catches the overtones of happy optimistic village folk in their simple pleasures. Khachar Bhitor Achin Pakhi' is probably one of the best pieces of this album. The piano manages to capture a hidden pathos while at the same time gives an added sophistication to the tunc.
A criticism, could perhaps be made regarding the overuse of other instruments in the compo sitions which sometimes seem unnecessary. The ektara. dotara . tabla. flute' and shanai arc used as accompaniments but at times seem to dominate the compositions and drown the piano. Ahmed agrees that the piano is such that It does not need other instruments. "Because this Is the first time I am introducing folk music on piano and because I wait to introduce our eastern instruments 1 have had to compromise, but next time I don't think I will." explains Ahmed.
The compositions of this alhom iwvwrwr are successful In capturing Bangladesh in its serene beauty of golden mustard fields, endless rippling waters and simple village folk
Although a businessman by profession Ahmed s real passion in hie is the piano, in the near future he wishes to bring out at least four new albums — one of patriotic songs of 1971. one of Rabi nd ra Sangcet, one of old Hindi popular hits and one of American Country music. His main Intention seems to be to bring back a glorious past and preserve It with a new approach as he has done with 'Eastern Ptanos .