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POST TIME: 11 February, 2016 00:00 00 AM
Sahriar Rafat A kawali singer

Sahriar Rafat A kawali singer

Fazle Rabbi Khan

Sahriar Rafat, 31, is a Sufi and kawali singer and music composer. He has six solo albums, including one featuring kawali. Recently, he released his latest album where most of the songs are based on Sufism. Y&I recently met him for an interview.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How did you get into music? What is your first memory of being inspired by music?

I had a fascination with music from my childhood. I got an opportunity to sing a chorus of a song of Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary in 1996. Since then, I fell in love with music and singing is still my passion.  

You focus on sufism and kawali music. What are the reasons behind it?

I grew up listening to this kind of music. So automatically, I developed a fascination with this genre. And I believe I can sing this type of songs well.

Tell us about your albums.

I have six solo albums, including one featuring kawali. My latest album is ‘Musafir Mon’, which was recently released and fans are loving it.

Who are your inspirations?

Those singers who sang Sufi songs their whole lives, like Lalon, Shah Abdul Karim, Paol Jalal, Ukil Munsi, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sai Johor, Abida Parvin and Kailash Kher.

What advice would you give to other singers trying to get off the ground?

Singing songs is not a profession. So, only those who have passion for music and are creative, they should come into this industry. And also, they should learn music and practice it properly to create quality songs for the listeners. There is no alternative to practicing music.  

Tell us something about your remarkable works so far.

There are few songs of mine which have got popularity. For example, ‘Shironame Tumi Amar’, ‘Mon to Sufiana’, ‘Fariad Ya Rob’, ‘Alif Allah’, ‘Priyotomeshu’, ‘Musafir Mon’ etc.

How do you keep your voice fine?

I do practice and try to sing from the heart. I love singing, and that motivates me to do well.

What are your future goals? Where do you hope to be by 2020?

I want to practice Sufi music more and represent Bangladesh in the world music arena. I wish my music will showcase different genres, including Sufi songs and kawali.