Reminiscing Lucky Akhand’s musical journey

Lucky Akhand was one of the most gifted musicians to have ever come in the Bangla music arena, with many remarkable compositions that have touched the hearts of millions over the years.

Born in 1956 in Old Dhaka, Lucky Akhand entered the realm of music at an age of five, and soon he began performing in music programs for children on TV and radio during 1963-1967. He was enlisted as a music composer of HMV Pakistan when he was barely 14 and a musician of HMV India at 16.

In 1971, he joined Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, a radio station that remained engaged in supporting the Liberation War against the Pakistan occupation forces and kept up the morale of Freedom Fighters through patriotic songs.

In 1984, Akhand brought out his first solo album under the banner of Sargam. The album included songs such as ‘Agey Jodi Jantam’, ‘Amay Dekona’, ‘Mamonia’, ‘Ei Neel Monihar’, ‘Hridoy Amar’, etc. which went on to become some of the most loved songs among the audiences.

In the following years, he composed an array of songs, including the song ‘Abar Elo Je Shondha’ for his brother Happy Akhand, another gifted musician. The song became a milestone and was probably one of the most poignant Bangla songs ever produced. The song was later used in Bangla film Ghuddi in 1988.

Some of his other notable compositions include ‘Ke Banshi Bajaire’, ‘Swadhinota Tomake Niye’, ‘Jekhane Shimato Tomar’, ‘Nil Nil Saree Pore’, ‘Pahari Jhorna’, and ‘Hothat Kore Bangladesh’. He also sang some of the songs he composed.

He was also associated with the musical band Happy Touch. Today's rock music scene in Bangladesh owes a great deal to Lucky.

Following the premature death of his younger brother Happy Akhand in 1987, Lucky Akhand went on a hiatus for a decade. He came back with his second solo album Porichoy Kobe Hobe, and then worked on a mixed album Bitrishna Jibone Amar featuring six prominent musicians – Ayub Bachchu, James, Kumar Biswajit, Tapan Chowdhur, Samina Chowdhury, and Hasan. 

His last composed album Tomar Oronne came in 2000, in which he featured Bappa Majumder, Nipu, Fahmida Nabi and himself.

Though he passed away this evening, he will forever remain alive in the hearts of millions of Bangla music lovers.