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A chronicle of commitment

In conversation with Nishat Arzoo

AMINUL ISLAM, Mymensingh
Nishat Afza Arzoo is a popular classical singer, in addition she is a special grade artiste with both Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television — proving the truth of the old adage that hard work coupled with commitment can win the day.
Born in a respectable Muslim family in Shankipara of Mymensingh town in 1969, her passion for music surfaced early on. She was lucky to have the unstinting support of her parents Dr. M.A Halim and Shamsun Nahar, both sports organisers. Nishat also expresses her debt to her maternal uncle Mohammad Abdul Hannan.
A meritorious student,
Nishat did her Honours and Masters from the Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Later she joined Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) as a Scientific Officer.
She continued in the service for three years but resigned from her post after her marriage. Her husband Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a high up police official, also supported her unstintingly in her dream of venturing more fully into the sphere of classical music.
A regular performer of Nazrul, Tagore and modem songs, she took her early 'taalim' (lessons) under the guidance of Ustad Mithun Dey, Gopal Dutt and Omar Faruq. While her passion for
classical music soared, she later shifted to Dhaka and took lessons from eminent Nazrul artiste Sohrab Hossain, Sudhin Das and Khalid Hossain.
She also took lessons in Tagore songs from Sanjida Khatun, Fahmida Khatun, Ajit Roy, Wahidul Haque, Dr. Nurul Anwar and Sadi Mohammad. T still take taalim' from eminent classical masters of the country so that I can improve my performances," said the artiste.
Nishat was enlisted with Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television in 1983 and 1985 respectively as a regular artiste. Now she is a special grade artiste of both.
“I am greatly impressed by the performances of Fahmida Khatun and Khalid Hossain," said Nishat adding, “Samina Chowdhury's rendering of modern songs is mesmerising."
Nishat wants to pursue her mission to promote classical music. However, she is pained by the current lack of practice in classical music. In her words, "The so-called music of today is injurious in many cases to the traditional music of the country. We need to transform the taste of the younger generation to ensure the survival of our music, which enriches our tradition and heritage.
"For the better survival of our culture, practice of classical music should be geared up at every level, including greater government patronage," she concluded.