Today marks the 60th birthday of music legend Ayub Bachchu.

Born on August 16, 1962, the self-taught artiste entered the music scene with his debut song, "Harani Bikaler Golpo", written by Shahid Mahmud Jangi. After his first album "Rokto Golap" in 1986, he made his way while walking down the road of success with noted Bangladeshi bands such as Feelings, Souls, and his own, LRB.

Commemorating Ayub Bachchu's legacy, his friend and confidante Bappi Khan shares his fond memories of working with him, especially for the song "Ekhon Oneek Raat", with The Daily Star.

"Dorojar O Pashe" is the original name of the song, but it came to be known as "EKhun Oneek Raat". The song was released in a mixed album named "Together". However, the track was re-released as a part of LRB's "Ferari Mon" album in 1995.

Ayub Bachchu and Bappi Khan. Photo: Collected

"After writing 11 songs for Ayub Bachchu, I finally expressed my wish to compose a romantic track for him," shares Bappi Khan. "He used to live in Karimas Plaza in Moghbazar at that time, and had agreed to sing for the genre."

Ayub Bachchu used to opt for three processes while composing a song. "He used to sometimes compose the melody after reading the lyrics, or had a melody in mind and ask me to pen down words for it," Bappi Khan adds. "However, I miss his guitar playing. I wrote songs for him during lazy evenings on his terrace."

 "Ekhun Oneek Raat" was crafted in the same manner. "I still remember how Ayub Bachchu had laughed when I had said: We have to feel the essence of the night during the day and write this song in broad daylight," recalls Bappi. The song was made by the following night at LRB's jamming pad.

Over the years, Ayub Bachchu has recorded and released numerous super hit singles and albums. His most notable albums include LRB (1992), Shukh (1993), Tobuo (1994), Ghumonto Shohor (1995), Ferari Mon (1995), Shopno (1996), Amader Bishmoy (1998), Mon Chahile Mon Pabe (2000), Ochena Jibon (2003), Sporshi (2008), and Juddho (2012).

Ayub Bachchu passed away on October 18, 2018, due to a cardiac arrest, shocking the entire country and millions of his fans worldwide.

Translated by Ashley Shoptorshi Samaddar