Shujeo Shyam reminisces on the glorious days

Born in 1946, Shujeo Shyam has been singing since his childhood. An eminent composer of widely rendered patriotic songs like” Rokto diye nam likhechhi” and “Bijoy nishan urchhey oi,” Shujeo Shyam has been associated with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (SBBK) from the inception of the radio in April 1971.

"Says a nostalgic Shyam. "Whenever I remember those days I feel the same spirit I had 44 years ago.” The artistes of SBBK used to sing with just a tabla and a harmonium, he recalls.

The station had only one tape recorder and two microphones: one for the singers and the other for the musical hands. There was no separate place for rehearsals. Says Shyam, "We had a single goal and that was to sing with dedication and inspire the Freedom Fighters and the people of Bangladesh."

"SBBK was a popular station and every one waited to listen to the latest news and the inspiring songs," Shyam recalls. One message from the Freedom Fighters to the radio station read, "The songs you play keep us alive, give us the strength to move on and fight the war."

Kamal Lohani used to write scripts for the kathikas (satirical plays) at night. "I remember lyricist Abul Kashem Swandip. He hardly had the courage to approach the senior artistes. Once this humble boy came to me and asked whether I would compose a song he had written. When I read the lyrics, I was moved by the spirited words." The song is now widely rendered: 'Rakto diye naam likhechhi Bangladesher naam”.”

Shyam distinctly recalls December 16, 1971. When they were rehearsing a song, the programme producer Abu Taher came and told them, "This song won't do, we need to sing the song of independence."

Lyricist Shahidul Islam told Shyam on Victory Day that he would write a song and have the latter compose music for him. It took Shyam a fraction of a second to agree despite the high spirited reaction to the news of victory.

Shahid wrote the antara (first stanza) and gave it to Shyam for composition. Shyam and singers Rothindranath Roy, Kaderi Kibria, Kalyani, Mala, Rupa and others, led by Ajit Roy, rehearsed the song. Shyam says, "We completed the song at 5:30pm and it was recorded after a skit the same evening. The song was played that evening after the speech of Syed Nazrul Islam, the then President of Mujibnagar Government who came to the station along with Tajuddin Ahmed, the Prime Minister."

Shyam says, "I can never forget those days. I am proud to have witnessed the most glorious days of the Bangalis and be a part of the struggle the nation went through during 1971."