Altaf Mahmud
By Bipul K Debnath
Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulitey Pari _ is not merely a song, but the ultimate inspiration for us as Bangalee for all time, and we carry the tune around in a very special place in our hearts.
Every song beyond its genre must have a power within itself. It can be said without any great debate that songs are the medicine of the human heart and they can reach to the core of human realisation instantly.
The immortal song Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February is an example of such a powerful song, which paved the way for us to become an independent nation in 1971.
It is a tune that we learn in our very early days, and carry it around in a special place in our hearts with profound respect for our heroic language martyrs.
Altaf Mahmud, a renowned musician, was the composer of this mighty song as we know it now. This is a humble tribute to our great composer, cultural activist, freedom fighter and martyr.
This great son of the soil was born on December 23, 1933 at Patarchar village of Muladi upazilla in Barisal district. His nickname was Jhilu. His father was A M Nezam Ali Hawladar and his mother Kod Banu.
Mahmud was an active cultural activist from the very beginning of his life. He used to sing songs at various functions in those days when we Bangalees were struggling for our rights. He was good at gana sangeet (peoples songs), the most popular form of song at the time, which brought him immense popularity. However, he discovered his potential with famous violin player Suren Roy in Kolkata, where he had gone to study art.
In 1950, Mahmud came to Dhaka and joined Dhumketu Shilpi Shongho, a cultural organisation which gave him the platform to practise music. He later became its music director. Then he took part in the Language Movement in 1952. His rendering of gana sangeet in many places inspired the activists of the movement, which was the precursor to our liberation effort two decades later. Along with his singing, he continued to support the peoples movement.
In 1952, he composed the tune for the poem Mrittu Jara Tuchho Korilo Bhasa Bachabar Tore by Musharof Uddin, and it is considered as the first song of February 21.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury composed the song Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February on February 23, 1952 and Abdul Latif set it to music at first. In 1969, Mahmud recomposed the music of the song with some changes for Zahir Raihans famous film Jibon Theke Neya.
Besides Jibon Theke Neya, he also worked in several other films, like Kar Bau and Tanha. In addition to music, Mahmud also excelled in painting. He painted pictures marking contemporary situations.
Mahmud married Sara Ara in 1966. They had one daughter, Shawan Mahmud.
During our Liberation War in 1971, Mahmud was an active freedom fighter who made every effort to defeat the Pakistani army. He had set up a secret camp at his residence in Outer Circular Road, Dhaka for the freedom fighters. It was named Ekattorer Durgo Bari (the fort house of 71).
But he could not continue his camp, because the location was revealed soon. Pakistani solders caught him along with other freedom fighters on August 30, 1971. Mahmud, with other brave fighters like Shafi, Imam and Rumi, were captured, blindfolded and hurdled off by Pakistani forces to an unknown place that same day. Later, it was discovered that they were taken to an army camp at Nakhalpara to be tortured and killed. His body was never found. On July 18, 2013, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed was jailed for life on a charge related to the killing.
Mahmuds patriotic songs, which were broadcast on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, inspired the thousands of freedom fighters during our Liberation War.
There is no doubt that the Ekushey Padak and Independence Day Award laureate made great contributions to our culture. Altaf Mahmud will be most remembered for his outstanding endeavours during both our language and independence movements.
