To catch diis multi-talented haul trio in action, visit the Banani handicrafts shop. Jatra on Thursday and Friday evenings. The family head, Mohammed Abdul Alim Bayati is accompanied by his teenage children, son Lokman Hakim and daughter Musammat Rozina Akhter. Descending from four generations of hauls (his fathei* and’ grandfather Were' skilled ektara players) Alim grew up in Kalipur village, in the Sunamganj district. As a teenager, he was blinded by a bout of small pox. but, undaunted, continued his religious education at the local madrassa. Alim's curiosity was whetted by the background strains from the radio, and during the holidays, he learned Nabitatwa

Gaan (religious songs), and to play the two-stringed dotara and shoraj.

Initially practising with his guru Abdul Monab for three years, Alim then trained under Sylhet Radio Centre music director, Rakhal Chakrabarti. Soon, he mastered seventeen types of mostly indigenous instruments, including the dhol, tabla, flute, violin and mandolin. Rather fascinatingly, he learned jibra, the art of making ,h’iUMtfWith'hls ■tdhgu'e' Studying during the day and travelling through villages by night, performing Baithaki Gaan (where village folk gather for a chat and some entertainment), Alim became an expert at Palta-palti Gaan and Sawaal Jawaab, duets with other bayatis, using clever repartee.

Sadly, Alim's bucolic existence

came to an end when his music faced opposition from local religious leaders, forcing him to move to Dhaka nearly twenty years ago. Singing in the streets of Kamrangichar and Lalbagh in old Dhaka, he soon learned the ropes, performing at concerts organised by university students at New Market. His talents recognised, he's even sung with his children, his wife Khadija on the cymbals, at Dhaka University's Teacher Student Cents*.

Breakthroughs were swift to come Alim's way in the new millennium. BTVs Mofizul Laltu recruited the family to perform for its Samahar programme. The playwright/actor Ashish Khandaker organised a private, rooftop performance in Dhanmondi. "Many foreigners were part of the audience; it was a

fantastic experience," Alim chuckled. More scintillating experiences were to be had during shows at Alliance Francaise and Drik Gallery, gradually bringing the singing family into the public eye.

By a stroke of luck, Alim was introduced to Bangladeshi film director, Tareque Masud, resulting in a musical contribution to the film Matir Moina. His son. Lokman's versatility (he's played the doogdoogi since childhood), was featured in the 2001 short Film, Lokman-er Shopno Bastobota. A competition winner, the film was aired on TV, and at some of Dhaka's cultural centres. It followed Lokman's daily rituals, poignantly bringing out his hopes and dreams. Another film, Lokman-er Asha, was also shown at the Goethe Institut.

Their travels have taken them across the breadth of the country, and to neighbouring India a few years ago. Being seasoned performers at weddings, birthdays, picnics and private concerts, they would welcome more opportunities to display their talents. Unfortunately, their aspirations to compile a music album are bound by financial constraints at present. A number of foreign embassies have also organised shows, enabling their art form to be appreciated by a much wider audience, which is “like a dream come true,” says Alim, reflecting on a grand event at ,0)0 American Embassy earlier this ye'ar.

Alim was introduced to Jatra's proprietor, Anusheh Anadil by her father in 2002. Alim's tunes enchanted her. Since then, the shop has reverberated to the mesmerising beat of this uniquely musical family. The writer is a freelance contributor