Dr. Fahmida Khatun's debut album is all set to be released. The album, Jokhon Prothom DhorecheKoli, an Impress Audio Vision Ltd presentation, featuring Rabindrt Sangeet, was recorded in Dhaka, although some pr rduction workwas done in Kolkata.

"My nother loved music, particularly Rabindra Sangeet "recalls Fahmida.

“She ■ vanted me to study it so I took lessons, as an extracurricular activity. I have never considered it a professi >n and still don't. My father wanted me to be a doctor but I wanted to be a teacher. Singing has always been my hobby, and my parents encouraged me.” She continues, "My husband shared my parents' view and enthusiastically inspired me to foster it. I have been studying under Tapan Bhattacharya for almost two decadesjnow, and also trained under th? late Nilufar Yasmeen.” . <

Fahmida is an accomplished scholar. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue • (CPD). S re has previously worked for BIDS, UNDP and USAID. >hc completed her doctorate in Economics from U riversity College London, and has done research for numerous international organisations such as UNER FAO, DFID, Oxfam, UNDR the World Bank and others. She has also taught Economics at universi ies in Bangladesh and the UK.

"I list :n to Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, folk and adliunik songs, and ghazals, though at times I don’t understand all the words," reveals Fahmida. "But I'mnot very fond ofHindi movie songs."

"My teacher Tapan Bhattachariya felt 1 have a gift that should get exposure, and that is how Jokhon Prothom Dhoreche Koli came about,” insists Fahmida. "The album includes some of my favourite songs; most of them are familiar songs." The album will be launched after Eid.

Her next venture is an album comprising songs of the Poncho Kobi (Rabindranath, Nazrul, D.L. Roy, Atul Prasad and Rajnikant). "That is still a long way into the future. It is difficult to find time in my hectic schedule."

"Music is a necessary refuge for human existence. Life canjbe difficult and sometimes you just need to

be alone and have your feelings articulated. Then you recuperate and feel complete again," explains Fahmida. "I was drawn to Rabindra Sangcet by its rich lyrical intensity."

"Fusion music exposes a certain group of people to a whole aspect of music they wouldn't normally listen to. It is an intelligent innovation, as long as the differences are clearly identified,” says Fahmida on current musical trends. "This is a global world and you have to cater to the need of the time," says tire singer whose tastes and songs arc purist to tire core.