The New Nation - Internet Edition

Event: Ustad Syed Zakir Hossain’s Thumri and Dadra album launched

Entertainment Report

Ustad Syed Zakir Hossain is the only surviving maestro in the genres 'thumri and dadra' in Bangladesh. The 70-plus Ustad's latest album 'Ab Na Maanat Shyam,' featuring eight tracks (three 'thumris' and five 'dadras'), was launched at the National Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on June 8.

Cultural personality Sayeed Ahmed, renowned artiste and music critic Mohammad Asafuddowlah and educationist Dr A Majid Khan attended the album launch that also featured live performances by Ustad Hossain, his family members and disciples. Ustad Hossain was born in 1932, into the Nawab family of Murshidabad. His father Syed Hassan Mirza was the then District Commissioner of Bhagalpur. Raised in a refined cultural atmosphere, Hossain's education in music began under renowned 'Dhrupadia' Shree Tara Das Chakraborty. Hossain was also trained by his uncle Khorshed Mirza. The young student mastered the skills and techniques of 'khayal,' 'thumri' and 'ghazal' under the supervision of classical music maestro Ustad Quader Bakhsh.

At the age of 12, Hossain won in the 'thumri' and 'ghazal' category at the Bahrampur Music Contest. He started singing for Radio Pakistan in 1952 and has been performing for BTV since its inception. The veteran artiste has also been teaching for decades. Ustad Hossain has received several honours including a lifetime achievement award from Shilpakala Academy in 2007.

In his speech, Sayeed Ahmed said, "He (Ustad Hossain) has a sonorous voice and is skilled in 'thumri,' 'dadra' and 'khayal.' He is a creative master innovating his own compositions. The listeners will be highly benefited by his compositions."

Speaking at the programme Mohammad Asafuddowlah, who referred to himself as 'a student of music,' expressed both his contentment and frustration.

He said, "I didn't expect this auditorium to be even half full. This is a pleasant surprise. I'm just being realistic; one hardly gets to attend classical or semi-classical music performances of a certain standard at public venues these days." "What is being passed off as music cannot refine one's senses. I should thank Ustad Hossain's family for taking the initiative to bring out this album. The fact that they couldn't find a sponsor for the album proves that my frustrations are valid. Ustad Hossain should be encouraged for his endeavour at his age. His control over his voice at this age is truly amazing. I've heard few 70-plus singers in the subcontinent who can sustain extended notes, with unwavering voice," he said.

After the speeches, Ustad Hossain rendered some of the songs from the album. 'Thumri' and 'dadra' are lighter forms of Hindustani classical music. When 'dhrupad' lost its audience due to its rigidity and 'khayal' performances were becoming impracticable because of their duration, 'thumri' and 'dadra' became popular and reigned supreme in the 1930s and 1940s.

Among the songs featured in the album, 'Ab Na Maanat Shyam' are - 'Chinat nahi' (dadra), 'Ab na maanat Shyam' (thumri), 'Aaja aaja na ja pardes' (dadra), 'Sowat nindya jagaaye' (thumri), 'Rayen kaate jaag jaag' (dadra) and 'Kahaan gawayo saarey raat' (dadra). Shantonu has done the music arrangement for the album and Surer Mela has produced it. Ustad Hossain's rendition of the 'thumris' and 'dadras' are immaculate as expected.

However, the use of electronic musical instruments like keyboard and octapad did not really go well with semi-classical tunes. Perhaps the use of Sarangi, Esraj or Swarmandal would have been more appropriate.

TV Watch: Mayur Bahan on Channel 1

Entertainment Desk

TV serial 'Mayur Bahan' aired on Channel 1 at 8:15 pm on Tuesday. The cast includes Shampa Reza, Azad Abul Kalam, Tomalika, Intekhab Dinar, Sumaiya Shimu, Shams Sumon, Mir Sabbir, Rahmat Ali, Tushar Khan, Lutfar Rahman George, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Afroza Banu and Golam Farida Chhanda.

The plot of the story revolved around the inhabitants of the village Basantapur. The village was like any other, and the people there were quite simple yet unique. At the centre of the story, was a club, which organised a play for the villagers.

Young and old alike, worked to produce a successful play, which reflected the simple dreams of the villagers. The story was marked with several incidents such as the people of Basantapur in search of a female artiste for their play.

Written by Pantha Shahriar, the serial was directed by Rulin Rahman. The serial is aired every Monday and Tuesday on Channel 1.

Bollywood: Birthday girl Amisha Patel off to Maldives with beau

Entertainment Desk

With her career finally on the roll, thanks to her bikini act in 'Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic', and a brand new boyfriend by her side, actress Amisha Patel is sure to feel much younger than 32 years as she hops on to Maldives for her birthday today.

The actress whose personal and professional life had been in a turmoil due to the infamous episode of her parents allegedly disowning her for they did not approve of her relations with ex-boyfriend Vikram Bhatt, Amisha surely seems to have buried her past for good.

So, who is the new man in Amisha's life?

It's a UK based NRI, Kanav Puri, who is behind the angel faced diva's sensuous new avatar. With her beau by her side the actress sure appears to have got her life back on the fast track as she readies herself to take on Bollywood with a 'plunge in the pool'.

Speaking to a new daily, the actress revealed, that she is off to Maldives where her man Kanav has planned out a romantic getaway in a private villa that has a private pool.

Well with a plan like that Amisha surely seems to have bagged a man of every girl's dream.

Hollywood: Pele’s latest score a TV documentary

Agencies, Los Angeles

Brazilian football hero Pele has given his approval to a television documentary that will offer an unprecedented look at his career.

Pele's story has been recounted in written biographies, but the producers said this marks the first time he has granted anyone 'such unparalleled access' to produce a TV documentary.

The project is being developed by FremantleMedia, the television behemoth behind 'American Idol' and 'The X Factor,' which signed a deal with Pele's licensing agency, Prime Licensing.

The content ideas are in the early development stages, but the documentary will focus on a specific time in Pele's soccer career. The producer-director roles have not been named.

Pele, born Edison Arantes do Nascimento in 1940, began playing for Santos Futebol Clube when he was 15, joined the Brazilian national team at 16 and led Brazil to the first of three World Cup championships at 17. As a professional, Pele scored more than 1,200 goals and earned the nickname 'O Rei' (The King).

In 1967, his popularity influenced the two factions involved in the Nigerian Civil War to agree to a 48-hour cease-fire so they could watch Pele play an exhibition game in Lagos. Among his honours is an honorary British knighthood.

Rahman named best music director at IIFA

Entertainment Desk

AR Rahman was named the best music director for his score in `Guru` at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) 2008 awards here Sunday night, while the Shah Rukh Khan starrer `Om Shanti Om` swept a number of technical awards.

Shreya Ghoshal won the honours for the best playback singer (female) for `Barso re` from Mani Ratnam`s `Guru`, which film also bagged awards for the best background score (Rahman) and best song recording (H. Sridhar).

The best playback singer (male) award was bagged by Shaan for `Jab se tere naina` from `Saawariya`. Veteran Javed Akhtar was named the best lyricist for `Om Shanti Om`, which also garnered awards for best special effects (Red Chillies Entertainment), best art direction (Sabu Cyril), best costume design (Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar and Sanjeev Mulchandani) and best makeup.

The award for best screenplay was won jointly by Anurag Basu (`Life in a Metro`) and Jaideep Sahni (`Chak De! India`). `Chak De! India` also took home the trophy for best cinematography.