Homage to Sudhin Das and Karunamaya Goswami

To pay homage to the memory of two eminent Tagore and Nazrul exponents, researchers, writers and artistes – Sudhin Das and Karunamaya Goswami, Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad (BSSSP) arranged a programme at National Music and Dance Centre auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 15. 

Renowned cultural personalities, litterateurs and artistes shared their fond memories speaking highly of the recently deceased maestros. Bishwajit Roy, general secretary of BSSSP, delivered welcome address. Later, he rendered a Sikandar Abu Zafar song, composed by Sudhin Das. 

Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam elaborated on the contributions of Sudhin Das and Karunamaya Goswami with precise allusions of Panchakabi, especially Kazi Nazrul Islam's creations. He also mentioned several other names Najmul Huda Bachchu, Professor Rajib Humayun and writer Shantanu Kaisar who died recently. 

“The vacuum of those who left us in the past two months will never be filled up. Inspired by their noble deeds, if new generation artistes and researchers come up, only then an optimistic air will flow in the horizon of our literary and cultural world. Karunamaya Goswami will be ever remembered in our cultural history as he has written extensively on our music,” said Rafiqul Islam.      

Kamal Lohani, veteran journalist and cultural personality, said “Sudhin Das, Sohrab Hossain, Abdul Latif, Sheikh Mohitul Haque and Mafizul Islam were not only singer-musician-swaralipikar but also adept anglers. They would fish at Dhanmondi Lake. In search of the roots of Nazrul Sangeet Swaralipi, Sudhin Das first went to Calcutta (Now Kolkata) and found the swaralipi books -- 'Nabarag' and 'Benuka' that were published when Kazi Nazrul Islam was in good health. Later, we know how dedicated he was in his mission of formulating swaralipi of Nazrul Sangeet. In a musical programme of Akashbani, eminent Bengali-Indian music director Pankaj Kumar Mallick once mentioned that if Nazrul Sangeet is to be learnt, one should follow the swaralipi of Sudhin Das. As long as the Bangla language exists, the nation will always remember the contributions of Sudhin Das and Karunamaya Goswami.” 

Kamal Lohani mentioned the names of Najmul Huda Bachchu (singer-actor) along with several artistes of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra including Lucky Akhand, Subrata Sengupta and violin artiste Babul Dutta, who died recently.

Sharing fond memories of her music mentor, eminent Nazrul exponent and journalist Sadya Afreen Mallick said, “He was my first music Guru and I have learnt several lesser-known Nazrul songs from Sudhin Das. He will be greatly missed as a guide by the artistes.”

Ganosangeet artiste and vice-president of BSSSP, RA Mahmud Selim - who presided over the programme, said “We have lost two of our guardians of music. A type of whimsical attempt is on the run to debase our timeless heritage of Bangla songs. We have to properly guide the new generation artistes so that they don't get derailed.” 

Among others, child litterateur Ali Imam shared his personal memories of Dr. Karunamaya Goswami while Tagore artiste Fahim Hossain Chowdhury spoke and paid his musical homage through rendering “Jibon-Moroner Simana Chharaye”. Uttarayan artistes set off the event through offering the song “Dukkher Timirey Jodi Jwaley”. Noted artistes Abdul Wadud, Salahuddin Ahmed, Mahadev Ghosh, Roquaiya Hasina, Azizur Rahman Tuhin, Sanjoy Roy and Sardar Rahmatullah and others performed songs at the programme.