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Q&Ferdousi Rahman

Star Arts & Entertainment Desk
Ferdousi Rahman, a singer of repute, stepped into the world of music as a young girl of six. She has been a major figure in the cultural scenario for over six decades. The Daily Star met up with the eminent singer. Excerpts:
What’s your nickname?
"Mima"—it's a Russian name.
What keeps you going?
Music-and more music. 1 feel that throughout my career — first as a singer and later as a teacher- 1 was blessed. Of late, 1 have been judging the talent hunt 'Bangladeshi Idol' on SA TV. On the other hand, the Abbassuddin Sangeet Academy is going on in full swing which gives me immense pleasure
The programme "Esho Gaan Shikhi” that 1 conducted for children has been running for almost 49 years. On and off, I have been training young talents on BTV from its very inception. Khan Ataur Rahman, Azad Rahman and a few others have occasionally conducted the programme as well, but somehow people have always well received my way of presentation.
What’s most endearing about you?
People often ask how I manage to smile all the time and cheer up the mood wherever 1 go ...Itake that as a compliment.
What is the worst thing about you?
Nowadays, 1 get agitated quickly and get tense over trivial matters.
What interests you other than music?
1 take great interest in designing saris for myself. In doing so, 1 find that our deshi materials are fun to work on. 1 also love to experiment with new dishes at regular intervals. In addition, I am into interior designing.
Any hilarious experience you would like to share with us?
During the early ’60s, we were quite used to live radio broadcasts. And there were times when we had amusing experiences as well. At Shahbagh radio station, we were performing for a special
event. Big names like Laila Arjumand Banu, Rawshan Ara Masud and many others were also performing. Alt of a sudden, Rawshan Ara Masud began to giggle over something. As you know laughing is contagious, and it was impossible for us to stop laughing. Abdul Ahad, our music director, looked at us helplessly from the other side of the glass. Somehow, we managed to finish the song and we al) sighed with relief at the end.
What are your most memorable experiences?
During my long career, I have had the privilege to work with great composers such as Abdul Ahad, Sattya Shaha, Samar Das, Khalil Anand, Nisar Bazmi and many more. As artistes, we utilised our time optimally. Even while travelling through the mountainous regions of Muree during our musical tours abroad, on a bus, I remember taking lessons from classical maestros Nazakat Ali and Salamat Ali.
Your first playback and superhit playback...
My first playback was a famous bhawaiya *0 Mor Kal a Rey Kal a" for the film 'Aasia', in 1958. The song 'Poraney dola dilo ekon bhromora" for the film 'Shutorang", directed by Subash Dutt, composed by Sattya Saha was the first superhit song of over 1,000 songs 1 have playbacked.
What are your most prestigious awards?
I have been awarded prestigious National Awards like the Ekushey Padak and the Swadhinata Padak— but the most important thing to me is the love of my ardent fans.