The tale of a forgotten musician

He was an 18-year-old singer-songwriter in the eighties.

In 1989, he composed the popular songs "Batali Hiller Sei Bikel", "Chhotto Ekti Meye" and "Sarati Raat". He was also the lyricist of the latter two, which got featured on the first album of his newly formed band "Blue Hornet".

In 1990, his first and only solo album was released; he had Ayub Bachchu as the composer. Almost all the songs on that album won the hearts of listeners, and the artist, not even 20 years old back then, was showered with appreciation from many established artists of the music scene at that time.

However, in a turn of events, he is now the supervisor of a public toilet in Jamal Khan area of port city, getting Tk 9,000 as monthly salary. He has been living on a bench next to the toilet for the last five years.

This is the real-life story of a forgotten artist, which seems nothing short of that from a reel. This is the story of Monsur Hasan, who has a hard time reminiscing about his glorious past now.

In 1993, Monsur withdrew from the band and got involved in drugs and politics, according to his ex-band members.

Blue Hornet's first album was released in the middle of 1989, after the formation of the band at the end of 1987. All songs on the album became the rage at that time. Monsur sung three of the album's popular songs.

A year later, in 1990, Monsur became popular all over the country after the release of his solo album "Jewel Smarane", composed by Ayub Bachchu, before forming LRB.

"Our band split in 1991, when we lost all equipment, worth Tk 20 lakh, due to the cyclone. We couldn't do any more concerts. Later, the members got busy with their own businesses and jobs. We returned three or four years later, but even after persistent efforts, we couldn't bring back Monsur," said Selim Jahan, a founding member of Blue Hornet.

This correspondent spoke to Monsur recently at his workplace.

"At the time, I was under some bad influence. I was young, and I couldn't make a comeback. When I came to my senses, all was over, as if within a blink of an eye," said Monsur, now 52.

He said he was looking for work when some people helped him get this job.

Monsur said he has been staying there day and night for the last five years and couldn't return home after his parents died, as his uncles and cousins ​​took over their property. A lawsuit in this regard is ongoing, he informed.

Monsur did not want to speak anymore. He seemed tired. One could tell, life has taken a hefty toll on him. His eyes do not have that spark of an 18-year-old musician, but it still has the will to move on. 

"He had an extraordinary voice and musical knowledge. At that age, he used to write his own songs and compose them," said Selim.

"Sargam Music Studio's owner released a solo album with Monsur only a year after the first album of our band," added Selim, also the former president of Chattogram Musical Band Association.

"I haven't been able to recover any song from the album despite multiple attempts over the last decade, due to the closure of Sargam. Monsur did not preserve these songs in his collection as well."

Alamgir Chowdhury, bass guitarist of the band "Sustain" in Chattogram, said, "We've covered many songs of Monsur Hasan in our concerts. It's heartbreaking knowing of his present condition. The cultural ministry should look into the matter to bring him back to music."

Mohiuddin Jewel, public relations and communication officer at Chittagong Independent University, said, "Other artists should come forward to help him."

Contacted, Shaibal Das Sumon, ward councillor of Jamal Khan, said they will try to help out Monsur as much as they can. "We are also arranging accommodation for him."