Saturday marked the 84th birth anniversary of eminent Bangladeshi poet Al Mahmud, known as one of the greatest Bengali poets of the 20th century.

Family members and well-wishers of the poet observed the day to a limited extent due to the ongoing global pandemic situation. They placed floral wreaths at Al Mahmud’s grave in Brahmanbaria in the morning and prayers were offered to seek eternal peace of the poet’s departed soul.

The legendary poet was born as Mir Abdus Shakur Al Mahmud in Morail village of Kasba Upazila in Brahmanbaria in 1936. He received his primary and secondary education in his village within limited resources.

Mahmud came to Dhaka at the age of 21 and started his career as a proof reader-turned-journalist. He came under the spotlight of literary admirers and obtained widespread recognition after publishing his marque poem, ‘Lok Lokantor’ in 1963.

Soon he became one of those emerging Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on subjects like Language Movement, nationalism, political and economic repression and the struggle against the West Pakistani government.

Rural and pastoral life, rivers, village landscapes, shoals, love and human relationships have always been dominant forces in his poetry. Creating a new style in the poetic representation of emotions, he frequently utilised colloquial words from local dialects. For all these attributes, he has been considered as an individualistic genius of poetry in the subjects of nature and rural community other than Jibanananda Das and Jasimuddin.

‘Lok Lokantor’ (1963), ‘Kaler Kalosh’ (1966), ‘Sonali Kabin’ (1973) and ‘Mayabi Porda Dule Otho’ (1976) are some of the iconic collections of his poetry. His other notable poetical works include ‘Arobbo Rojonir Rajhash’, ‘Bakhtiyarer Ghora’, ‘Nodir Bhitorer Nodi’ and more. In addition to writing poetry, he wrote short stories, novels and essays such as ‘Pankourir Rakto’ and ‘Upamohadesh’.

Al Mahmud joined Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in 1975 as its Assistant Director of Research and Publication and retired in 1993 as the academy’s Director. He received Bangla Academy Award in 1968, for his masterful creations ‘Lok Lokantor’ and ‘Kaler Kalosh’. 

For his outstanding contribution to Bengali literature - he received Ekushey Padak in 1986, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh.

Among other achievements, the poet received Joy Bangla Award (1972), Humayun Kabir Memorial Award (1972), Jibanananda Memorial Award (1972), Kaji Motaher Hossain Literary Award (1976), Kabi Jasim Uddin Award, Philips Literary Award (1986), Nasir Uddin Gold Award (1990) and Lalon Award (2011).

Cementing his legacy as one of the iconic poets in Bengali literature, Al Mahmud passed away at the age of 82 on February 15, 2019 at the Ibn Sina Hospital in the capital.

Singer Selim Chowdhury has been infected with coronavirus in Sylhet.

The 55-year old is now undergoing treatment at Sylhet North East Medical College Hospital, its managing director Doctor Shahriar Chowdhury said on Tuesday afternoon.

His tested positive on Monday and was admitted to the hospital, said the physician.

He also said that Selim Chowdhury’s condition is now stable.

Read Also: Coronavirus: Bangladesh reports 3,027 new cases, 55 more deaths

The death tally from coronavirus in Bangladesh rose to 2,151 on Tuesday as health authorities confirmed  the death of 55 more patients in 24 hours. Besides,  3,027 new Covid-19 cases were detected after testing 13,173  samples, taking the total confirmed cases to 1,68,645.

Have you ever tried to know who is singing through the lips of your favorite hero in the movies? Andrew Kishore was the playback emperor of the country who had won the hearts of millions of people with thousands of mind-blowing hit songs. Unlike stage performers, the golden-voiced vocalist Kishore hardly appeared in front of cameras, as his songs were mostly pre-recorded and lip-synced my film actors on the silver screen. Very few of us may know about the personal life, career, and accolades of Andrew Kishore. Read this article to know a little more about this precious songster of Bangladesh.

Andrew Kishore Biography

Early Life

Andrew Kishore was born to parents Khitish Chandra Baroi and Minu Baroi on 4th November in 1955 at Rajshahi in Bangladesh. He had two siblings Dr. Shikha Biswas and Peter Swapon Kumar Baroi. Kishore was Christian by birth.

Education and Music Training

In academic life, Andrew Kishore did a Master of Commerce in Management from Rajshahi University in 1977. At the age of six, Kishore started taking music lessons from Abdul Aziz Bachchu, who was the chief music director of Rajshahi Betar at that time. Since a young age, Kishore had a passion for media which lead him to stardom eventually.

Music Career

In the year of 1977, Andrew Kishore participated in a talent hunt project organized in Dhaka by Shahidul Islam, the then director of the Transcription Service of Bangladesh Betar. At the program, Kishore mesmerized the audience by the song Soheli O Soheli, composed by Debu Bhattacherjee. Recognizing his talent, Bangladesh Betar (formerly known as Radio Bangladesh) enlisted Kishore as a singer in categories of modern, folk, patriotic, Nazrul, and Tagore songs.

As a promising playback singer, Andrew Kishore debuted in the film industry by the movie titled ‘Mail Train (1977)’. His first playback song was ‘Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu’, composed by Saley Alam Khan. The talented singer achieved first fame for the song ‘Ek Chor Jay Chole’ composed by Alam Khan in the movie ‘Protigga’ in 1979. After this breakthrough, Kishore had never looked back in his long music career.

Andrew Kishore is considered as the ‘Playback King’ of Bangladesh music industry who sang more than 15 thousands of heart touching songs. His versatile and melodious voice gave life to Bengali movie songs for several decades. He worked with Probaho Media, a production house that produces television commercials, drama, etc. Kishore also gave voice to songs in foreign languages.

People of Bangladesh will remember Kishore for many years for his remarkable single tracks including "Jiboner Golpo Achhe Baki Olpo", "Amar Buker Moddhe Khane", "Dak Diyachhen Doyal Amare", "Haire Manush Rongin Fanush", "Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati", "Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechilam Gan", "Bhengeche Pinjor Meleche Dana", "Bhalobese Gelam Shudhu", "Shobai To Bhalobasha Chae", etc.

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Awards

For his outstanding performance in the music industry, Kishore was crowned by precious accolades in his rich career. He won Bangladesh National Film Award eight times under ‘Best Male Playback Singer’ category for the films: Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo (1982), Surrender (1987), Khotipuron (1989), Padma Meghna Jamuna (1991), Kabul (1996), Aaj Gaye Holud (2000), Saajghor (2007) and Ki Jadu Korila (2008).  

Kishore bagged the prestigious Bachsas Awards five times under the category of ‘Best Male Playback Singer’ for films Princes Tina Khan (1984), Shami Stri (1987), Premer Taj Mahal (2001), Mone Prane Acho Tumi (2008), and Golapi Ekhon Bilate (2010). Furthermore, his golden career was embellished by Meril Prothom Alo Award for three consecutive years (198-2000) under the ‘Best Singer Male’ category.

Personal Life

The notable vocalist Andrew Kishore walked down the aisle with Lipika Andrew (Eti) who is an engineer by profession. This couple has two children: one son named Jay Andrew (Saptok) and one daughter, Minim Andrew (Songa). Currently, their son has settled in Australia and the daughter in Canada.

Treatment & Death

Since 2018, Andrew Kishore had been suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a kind of cancer that originates in the Lymphatic system, leading to kidney and hormone-related disease. He received cancer treatment for 9 months in Singapore General Hospital. As the disease was untreatable, the singer returned to Bangladesh in June 2020 and spent his last days in Rajshahi. Leaving millions of fans and loving family behind, the legendary singer breathed his last on 6th July 2020 at a private clinic in Rajshahi at 64 years old.

Read Cultural arena mourns Andrew Kishore’s departure.

Bottom Line

Andrew Kishore was one of the most respected, influential, and eminent vocalists of the country with thousands of famous songs. For his whole life, Kishore dedicated most of his talents to the music industry of Bangladesh. His songs are played on versatile media platforms like films, radio, television, live show, YouTube, etc. These songs will keep Kishore alive in the hearts of his fans for many years.

Life of Andrew Kishore at a Glance

Full Name: Andrew Kishore
Birth Date: November 04, 1955
Birthplace: Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Death Date: July 6, 2020
Death Place: Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Education: Rajshahi University
Occupation: Play Back Singer
Spouse (s): Lipika Andrew
Religion: Christian

Long-known as the ‘King of Playback’ in the Bangladeshi music industry legendary singer Andrew Kishore passed away on Monday evening and noted celebrities have expressed their grief on social media regarding his departure.

Shakib Khan, Dhallywood’ most celebrated superstar in recent years who worked with Kishore in most of his movies, wrote on a Facebook post from his verified page - “Bangladesh just has lost another legendary voice, with the death of our ‘King of Playback’ Andrew Kishore. This is such irreparable damage and loss for the country. Stay blessed wherever you are, the master voice of romantic songs. I am deeply sad and devastated.”  

Another prominent superstar in Bangladeshi cinema, Omar Sani spoke in his video tribute: “The king of playback has departed. I think we won’t see another king in the next century. I have so many memories with him, learned so many things from him. He made many tremendous playback scores for my films. When I went to Singapore and visited him during his first chemotherapy, he said he will come back. Andrew Kishore is an epitome of Bangladesh.”

Legendary actress Subarna Mostafa wrote, "Goodbye Andrew Kishore, 'The king of playback'. Rest in peace dada... We will meet again… It is just a matter of time."

Kumar Bishwajit, another legendary playback singer of the country wrote on his verified Facebook page - “Gifted singers like Andrew Kishore does not come frequently in this world. His departure is just an unimaginable loss for our industry that cannot be repaired ever again. I personally lost not only a colleague but a brother who cared for me. I sincerely cherish the utmost peace of his soul and deep condolence to his family.”

Eminent singer Tapan Chowdhury wrote in his Facebook post - “Kishore da departed. We share thousands of memories together. Hope you will remain in eternal peace in the afterlife, dada.”

Singer-music composer, Managing Director and CEO of private television channel Gaan Bangla, Taposh wrote on this official page - "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again... No words can express our love and feelings! Rest in Peace, dearest dada."

Band legend and frontman of ‘Renaissance’, Naquib Khan wrote in his Facebook status “I am speechless... Extremely shocked.... Andrew Kishore da is no more... Nation lost a wonderful voice... a great singer… R.I.P our beloved Kishore da…”

Celebrated singer Ankhi Alamgir wrote - "So many memories, just so many of them flashing in front of my eyes. Hope you are in a better place Andrew uncle where you will no longer feel any pain. There will be no one like you. You will be remembered forever. Rest In Peace."

Noted film and television directors, actors, music artists, band artists of past and present generations and people from all spheres have been expressing their utmost condolence and sharing fond memories of the legendary singer since receiving the news of his departure.

Also read: Singer Andrew Kishore passes away

Popular Bangladeshi singer Andrew Kishore was put on life support as his physical condition worsened on Monday.

The singer has been receiving treatment in his hometown Rajshahi.  

According to his family sources, he has been undergoing treatment at his sister Shikha Biswas’s clinic. Along with cancer, he is suffering from kidney and hormone-related issues.

His brother-in-law Dr Patrik Bipul Biswash confirmed the matter and said: “Andrew is in critical condition, he is not talking to anyone. Please pray for him."

Read Also: Andrew Kishore’s physical condition deteriorates

In a Facebook post on Sunday night, his wife said that her husband was not talking.

The last stage of cancer is agonising, she wrote and requested the countrymen to pray for him.

Kishore has been battling cancer since September last year and returned home on June 11 this year.

His acquaintance, singer Momin Biswas also informed about Kishore’s latest physical condition in a Facebook Live session on Sunday.

He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. He received several chemotherapies during his nine-month battle with cancer.

Explaining his condition, Momin said that on June 8, doctors in Singapore informed Kishore that he is out of cancer-related complications. However, he felt extremely unwell on June 9 and after re-evaluating his condition, doctors informed him on June 10 that his cancer has returned. He did not want to continue living in Singapore anymore and returned home on June 11 by a special flight.

After spending a week at his Mirpur residence, Andrew Kishore decided to move to Rajshahi and has been living there since then.

Rumours started to circulate on social media on Sunday that the singer is no more, and Momin Biswas requested everyone not to spread rumours and fake news about the iconic singer.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several noted music artists-celebrities have contributed during his treatment.

Read Also: PM gives financial assistance to Andrew Kishore