Childhood and how I started singing
I was born in Kishorita village in the district of
Gajipur. I was the
youngest of three children of my parents. Mine was a musical family. My mama (maternal
uncle) used to perform in Jatra Pala. My mother was a good singer too. This surroundings in my childhood prompted
me to sing. When I was six I used to sing songs which I came to listen on Radio.
Ostad Gopal Sarkar who were performed
with my mama in jatra, one day listened my songs and was very pleased. He told that he would
give me teachings on songs. I bought a harmonium at his instruction and began to
learn.
It was in 1968. I began to learn with another
ostad named
KM Monem of Gajipur. He took me to Radio Bangladesh . There was a weekly
program of children on Radio directed by Abdul Latif. Passing an audition I
began to perform in it. Regularly every Friday I attended the program.
I had to struggle a lot to attend the
programs early in the morning since communication means was not that easy those
days. I had to wake up at 4 am. to get ready and then pass a long way--some on
foot, some by rickshaw and the rest by bus. My father always accompanied
me.
One day it rained in torrent. Because of heavy rain a ditch on the way from
our residence to the main road to Dhaka was full to the brim. My father forbade
me to go to Dhaka as there was no means to get across the water. As I repeatedly
insisted on my going, my father gave way to my wish. But how to cross the ditch?
Now, I dared wade through the water. I successfully crossed. But I got
everything including my dress except my khata (practice book) wet. The rickshawala who
regularly took us to the main road helped me to get my dress dried by arranging
fire. It took nearly an hour. Then we resumed our journey.
At the very outset I had to encounter very adverse situations. People around me did not take my singing very easy. Some teased me outside my
window at the time of practice, some uttered very embarrassing words. All was, I
felt, for I was a girl. Had I been a boy, they would have not done so. I ignored
all and went on with my singing.
Study life
Those days, it was very difficult for girls to go for education. I had to struggle a lot for this. I had to stay at my relatives house in Kapashia and
Comilla for my study. I completed my schooling in Kapashia, Gajipur where I
stayed at my maternal uncle's house. My college life was completed in Comilla. From Jagannath
College in Dhaka I completed my BA and MA. I did a four
years' degree called 'Sangeet Bisharad' from Chandigarh in India in 1998.
My career
I hardly went down with my career. I sing on Radio since before my marriage.
As mine was an early marriage there was a short halt in my performance
immediately after marriage. But within a short time I went back. Ever since that
time I am going on like me. Never I had to think of down fall. Still I am
Special Grade Artist of Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television. I prefer stage
shows. But the present
condition of stage shows is rather awful. Young singers
have created such an atmosphere that singers have to dance on stage
while singing which I dare not sustain. Today's singers dance rather than sing.
But things should not be like this. Singing is a matter to be felt by
heart. Dancing is something else.
Other than singing in various media I
have gone abroad for cultural shows several times. All those tours were
arranged by Bangladesh Government . I do not prefer commercially arranged
private tours
as those lack security farcicalities. On the other hand Government tours are
safe and formal. I traveled
India, Thailand, South Korea. Japan, China and Singapore. Very recently
I joined Department of Music and Theatre of Dhaka University as a lecturer.
My family's reaction towards my profession
I must recall that, all my relatives appreciated my genius. There inspiration took
me a long way towards success. My father's inspiration was the best I ever got. He
escorted me to all cultural points in my childhood. My mother and my
brother encouraged me to a great extent for my being a singer.
My family
I have got a son and a daughter. Goutam is the elder and he is doing his honors
in English in Calcutta University. Gouri is in class five. I would like to build
up them as singers more renowned than me. Both of them sing well. I do not force
them right now to sing since it may hamper their studies. My husband Dharma Darshi
Barua is an officer of Bangladesh
Betar.
He was a freedom fighter. He fought under the command of Mofazzal Hossain
Chawdhury Maya in sector number 2 . He himself is a singer who has a B Muse
degree.
My husband encouraged me
My husband played a vital role in upgrading my career. He never attempted to
stop me, rather his sincere cooperation brought me to my today's position.
For his inspiration I went abroad for higher degree on music. He had to sustain
some difficulties for my profession of a singer, but he never complains. My father in law and other members of my husbands family feel proud of my career
and never create any obstacle.
How I manage my profession and my family
I am a singer and at the same time a housewife.
Sometimes it seems a bit difficult for me to adjust my time but I can manage
well enough. I think I have the capability to play both my roles i.e. a singer
and a housewife. My husband shares my household works which is why I can manage both
my profession and family. Sometimes I work up in the midnight in order to
conveniently carry out my next day's schedule.
How I would react to any prohibition
My family is very much cooperative. So I do not think that any complaint may arise from
my family against my profession. If so happens, first I will try to settle
the circumstances. Nevertheless, if I am forced to leave my profession I am prepared to turn down.
I will protect my profession anyhow and my own decision will be my foremost consideration.
Message
As
a singer I want to convey a message that new generation is in the habit of
violating the real beauty of old songs which is very deplorable. Old songs are
our heritage. Why should we mar their melody? If so continues to happen, coming
generations will miss the real extract of those songs. So this practice should
be stopped.
My view as a woman
I have observed the narrowness and ugliness of our social mind. This society is yet to learn to permit women flourish their genius. Still
there is hindrances to women in every steps. In our early life it was 'more difficult'
and now it is 'difficult' for women to move freely. It is, therefore,
problematic for women to prosper. This situation should be
changed. People should change their views, women should broaden their
outlook and social administration must create necessary atmosphere for women.
