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The voice that lingers

Star Melodies pay tribute to Bashir Ahmed

Fahmim ferdous
Many of today's generation aren't familiar with Bashir Ahmed. But it would be a rare youth in the country who has not heard "Amake Porate Jodi Eto Laage Bhalo", "Ja Re Jabi Jodi Ja" or "Phooler Mala Poriye Dilam" sometime in their childhood, on the radio or from an old cassette player.
A week after one of the greats of modern Bangla music breathed his last, Star Melodies arranged a memorial and musical soiree at The Daily Star Centre with the most memorable of his melodies. Sheikh Sadi Khan, Syed Abdul Hadi and Khurshid Alam strolled down memory' lane with Bashir Ahmed, while Ziaul Haq Zia, Munir Chowdhury, Bizon Chandra Mistry, Nasima Shaheen, Aloke Kumar Sen and Syed Badrul Ahsan brought to life the tunes that have immortalised Bashir Ahmed. The event, conceptualised by Star Arts & Entertainment Editor Sadya Afreen Mallick, was held at the AS Mahmud Seminar Hall of The Daily Star Centre on April 26, in presence of a capacity crowd.
"Bhuul Jodi Hoy Modhu'r Emon" in Bashir Ahmed's own voice spread through the auditorium as the guests and artistes took their seats, and Sadya Afreen Mallick gave a touching intro to Bashir Ahmed's legacy. Ziaul Haq Zia, an expatriate and a big fan of Bashir Ahmed, set off the musical presentations with "Ja Re Jabi Jodi Ja". Munir Chowdhury then took the harmonium and performed the evergreen numbers "Dekona Amare Tumi" and "Sojoni Go, Bhalobeshe Eto Jala", followed by Bizon Chandra Mistry singing "Onek Sadher Moyna Amar" and "Amake Porate Jodi".
Noted music director Sheikh Sadi Khan then recalled his first encounter with Bashir Ahmed at the age of 14 - at a performance in Comilla, and how the two later became close friends through working in the same film industry. Terming his voice a "golden voice", he also recalled how Bashir Ahmed was a determined, strong-willed person.
Sheikh Sadi Khan grieved that the artistes who have enriched our music have not been given their due honour and recognition in their lifetime when they deserved it.
Syed Badrul Ahsan, somewhat of a knowledge bank of films and music of yesteryears, took the microphone next, and in his usual witty demeanour spoke about films and music of those times, and the impact Bashir Ahmed had on him. Much to the delight of the audience, he also sang two songs "Turn Bhi Haseen Dil Bhi Jawan" from the film "Talash" (1963) and "Chai DiyeTum Jo Dil Tod Kar" from "Darshan" (1967).
Syed Abdul Hadi then paid tribute to his close friend. "He used to dream music, he used to eat music, he used to sleep music," he said. He recalled Bashir Ahmed's rare level of self-esteem, adding that he resents the idea of financially helping the artistes after they have retired, instead of giving them their due honours during their careers. He also regretted that a lot of our music is being lost in time due to the lack of archiving.
Nasima Shaheen Fancy then came on stage to perform two songs composed by Bashir Ahmed, "Phooler Mala Poriye Dilam" and "Ektu Kotha Surey Surey", followed by Aloke Kumar Sen singing "Tomar Kajol Kesh Chhoralo Bole" and "Din Raat Khayalon Mein".
Noted singer Khurshid Alam then shared his memories of Bashir Ahmed, who encouraged him to audition at the radio and gave him important tips on singing. Terming Bashir Ahmed a great artiste, not just as a singer but a lyricist and composer, he said Bashir Ahmed was a very loving family man.
The programme ended on a beautiful musical note, with Munir Chowdhury performing, "Othoi Joie Dubey Jodi", Nasima Shaheen and Aloke Kumar Sen singing a duet "Aha Ki Je Shundor", Nasima Shaheen singing Bashir Ahmed's composed "Kotha Bolona Ogo Bondhu", and Aloke Sen performing "Soye Nadiyan Jaage Pani".
To the delight of the audience, Sadya Afreen Mallick announced that musical programmes will become a monthly schedule at The Daily Star Centre in coming months, turning Star Melodies into a full-fledged music club, in the organisation's attempt to preserve and nurture the music that defines our culture and pride. As the audience dispersed slowly after the end of the programme, Bashir Ahmed must have been looking down, smiling that his music and memories were not forgotten after all.