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CC: Tell us
something about this life as an artist?
AS: You may consider me as a
artist by birth. My father, mother and all are singer. As all the family
members are singer so it influences me to be a singer. From my childhood I
feel attraction in singing and such a way I expand myself in the area of
singing. This is my life in short.
CC: Who
influences you to be a singer?
AS: My father and mother. They
highly influence me in my life.
CC: Do you
feel attraction in different song else adhunik song?
AS: Else Adhunik song I feel
attraction in Lok Shangeet and Gazal. I like bhaoiwa of Rangpur. I expand
my childhood in Rangpur. May be for this reason this song influence me.
CC: There
are influence of copying in your song. What’s your comment?
AS: Once specially after
independence copied music in our culture. But now this is ever seen. But
copied music is not totally off.
By
Haider
Reference: Chaya Chando 24-30 August, 1990
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FE: where do you hail from and how did you take singing as an area of interest?
Rafiqul Alam: I hail from Rajshahi. There was a favorable music atmosphere within my family. My father and uncle were fond of music and they encourage me to develop as a singer.
FE: Did anybody particularly help and promote you in this creative field?
RA: Yes, definitely, it is my younger brother Dr. Sarwar Jahan, who is now a professor of Bangla at the University of Rajshahi and an eminent performer of Rabindra Sangeet in Rajshahi Betar. Basically he is my patron. I first started rendering Rabindra Sangeet in Rajshahl Betar in 1967 when I was enlisted as a regular artiste there.
FE: But we do not find you any more as an artiste of Rabindra Sangeet. Why and how did you change the line?
RA: Yes. it's true that I started with Rabindra Sangeet but later some important things influence me to switch over to Adhunik (Modern) songs. Specially, when I started performing in Dhaka Betar as an enlisted artiste in 1973, two renowned personalities showed me the way. One of them was late Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal and another is Anup Bhattacharya. They appreciated my style and quality of presentation of Adhunik songs and subsequently I took up and continued. Moreover, it suits me good enough.
FE: Of different media of presentation which one you prefer most and are you satisfied with all your performances?
RA: Obviously, I prefer the stage most because it is such a way of presentation where feedback is very instant and an artist can have the response of the audience instantly. Full satisfaction is very difficult term for an artist as long as he continues performing. He can never be fully satisfied because the quest for doing better is an unending process.
FE: You did not perform much as a playback singer in film. What is the reason behind this?
RA: Well, film is a different medium and its requisites are different too. Actually, 1 do no have that track and I lack filmy voice. Even then some of my film songs have been very popular. Late Satya Shaha picked me up for film songs in 1973. And the BFJA award was for film song sung in Gangchil, a Bengali movie in 1981.
FE: Do you have any academic background in music or classical songs?
RA: Actually, still now the academic infrastructural facilities in this area is yet to develop in true sense in or country. But I have a strong classical base that was develop by Haripad Das and Abdul Jabbar, two late ostadjee (Master) of Rajshahi. I practiced classical enough under them which is a must for anybody who likes to be a singer.
FE: Is singing a profession or zeal to you?
RA: It was a zeal to me first and now it is both to me. But I am engaged in other job also. 1 am Deputy General Manager of Bangladesh Small and cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).
FE: Is it your first job? Tell something about your taking job other than singing.
RA: I did my honors and completed post-graduation in political science from the University of Rajshahi in 1972. I then joined Bangla Academy. After eight years of serving the academy, I joined BJMC and in 1983 I joined BSCIC.
FE: How did you give time for performance being an official of a public- organization? Do you think that is hindrance to your artistic life?
RA: Really, it is problem to give much time for performance at this level. Despite that I must recognize the cooperation and sympathy extended to me by my fellow colleagues and authorities, still, I think I would have done better without doing a job.
FE: We know that the renowned singer Abida Sultana is your wife, who has a very good reputation in performance at home and abroad. Is it an advantage for you and do you treat her as your competitor?
RA: Actually, we are couple but we don’t think ourselves as a singer couple. We have separate identity and individuality. Advantage that we have is a good understanding between each other. And obviously from the professional point of view we are competitors. Every artiste should think so within the structure of ‘healthy competition’.
FE: How and when did you get introduced? Does Abida cooperate you in your area?
RA: I got introduced in 1974 very simply as both of us are performers and in 1979 we got married. She extends all possible cooperation to me.
FE: Would you comment on the present role of TV and Radio and in promoting or treating artistes.
RA: I think talented artistes are recognized by TV and Radio they are given chances. Although there are some shortcomings, the overall performance is satisfactory.
FE: Many artistes are demanding royalty at official level. How do you take this and what’s your view regarding cassette copying?
RA: Giving royalty on a regular basis is not possible at all and for cassette an artiste is paid, though very minimum.
FE: What is your evolution about newcomers in this area of performance? Do they need to undergo classical training?
RA: Many og newcomers are doing well. They include Rabi Chaudhury, Manir Khan, Doli Shayantani and so. I thing all should have a basic training and without a strong foundation a long lasting existence cannot be made.
FE: Who are your favorite singers in Bangladesh? Do you think that the quality and standard of songs at present time are satisfactory?
RA: My favorite singers are Sabina Yasmin, Abida Sultana, Shahnaj Rahmatullah, Andru Kishore, Shubir Nandi, Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury, Kanak Chapa. The present standard of song in Bangladesh is better than that of India and it is satisfactory. Melody, lyrics and words are good. It is good sign indeed.
FE: Would you comment on the package programmes on TV? Is it benefiting artistes and viewers?
RA: Yes, I think package system is new dimension. It is creating a sense of competition among BTV men for better production. Artists are paid well, but not much than BTV remuneration. But an acceptable policy should be formulated in this regard.
FE: Nowadays trend to copying foreign songs and presenting them before audiences is seen in Bangladesh. How do you take this?
RA: Although it is a bad trend I thing creative copying in keeping with out tradition and norms is acceptable. I mean any positive adaptation acceptable.
FE: What do you think about brand songs in our country?
RA: Definitely it is adding a new dimension to our culture. Basically, they are entertainers.
FE: Do you think that artistes in Bangladesh are properly patronized at the government level? What is your observation on upholding the spirit of Liberation War?
RA: Although the official support towards such activities should be enhanced, at present situation is not unsatisfactory. I sincerely believe in the spirit of Liberation War and I was a regular artiste and music organizer of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I am always against adoption of foreign culture indiscriminately.
FE: Do you have any memorable event in your music life? What makes you worried and gives you pleasure?
RA: There are some memorable events. At present I can remember getting Bangladesh Film Journalists Association Award as best singer in 1981. Singing gives me pleasure most and I like to continue singing. Misunderstanding worries me. I don’t like to be misunderstood by anybody any time.
FE: Do you think that an artiste can sustain his popularity and standard all along?
RA: No, I don’t think so and it cannot be because every artiste has a certain life scale. After a certain period he or she must accept that truth.
FE: How many countries did you visit as an artiste and what are you other achievements?
RA: You know that a Bangla TV Channel is going to be opened in London on 25th of the current month. Both Abida and I myself are to be there to perform in the opening ceremony. As a member of culture entourage at both private and public levels. I visited Britain, Sweden, Norway, USA, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and so on. I also got Sher-e-Bangla Award in music.
FE:How many children do you have and do you like to see them as artistes like you?
RA: We have only on son- Farshid Alam, an O Level student. Both Abida and I myself don’t like him to be an artiste and we don’t encourage him to sing. Despite that he sings very well. By this time he has learned many songs and he likes singing.
FE: What are your suggestions for newcomers in this area?
RA: Perseverance, extensive practice and involvement.
FE: Thank you for the time.
RA: Thank You.
By
Shafiul Alam
Reference: The Financial
Express, Sunday, July 11, 1999.