Afsana Asha, Dhaka
Tapan Mahmud is a distinguished exponent of Rabindra Sangeet in Bangladesh. The singer is known for his specialisation in the correct grammatical orientation of tunes, forms and formulations of Tagore’s compositions. Today is Tapan Mahmud’s birthday.
On the occasion of his birthday, Mahmud will participate in a live musical programme titled ‘Gane Gane Sokal Shuru’ on Channel i today. Besides, News24 will air a special musical programme on November 16 to mark his birthday.
About celebrating his birthday, the singer told to DhakaLive, “Now, birthday means that one more year has passed from my life. I think there is nothing special about my birthday, but my students celebrate it with enthusiasm. Since it is a working day, they have arranged a programme at the Dhanmondi Club on November 16.”
Mahmud was the founder general secretary of Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS) from 1988 to 2011. He is now the president of the organisation.
“BRSSS has also arranged a celebration programme to mark the day, but they are yet to mention the date because they want to surprise me”, he added.
He also said that he completed 50 years in the music world this year. “To celebrate my 50-year journey, I will bring out a special album comprising 50 Tagore songs. I wanted to bring out the album this December, but due to the election, the launching programme will be held in January,” he added.
Commencing his musical career at the tender age of five in 1958 under the tutelage of the late Narayan Chandra Saha, the late Fazle Nizami and the late Arabinda Biswas, Mahmud has been rendering Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, modern Bangla songs and songs of Atul Prasad, Rajani Kanto and DL Roy at Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as a special grade artist since 1969.
During the Liberation War in 1971, Mahmud joined the Swadheen Bangla Betar Kendra and also rendered his voice as a Rabindra Sangeet artiste for Akashbani Radio in Kolkata at that time. He also served as senior teacher of Rabindra Sangeet and also as the principal of Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts from 1979 to 2008. He has also been a member of the National Committee formed by the Ministry of cultural affairs for the birth anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam in Bangladesh for the past decade.
Mahmud has performed in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia as a member of both government and private cultural delegations.
Mahmud formed a cultural group called Boitalik. He also received Rabindra Padak from Bangla Academy in 2016.
Photo : courtesy