The New Nation - Internet Edition

(Top to bottom): A DVD of Ustad Capt Azizul Islam
was launched at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh
Shilpakala Academy organised by Sanskrity Bikash Kendra.
Ustad Capt Azizul Islam playing flute at the function at
the National Theatre Hall of Shil

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

A solo classical flute recital by flute maestro Ustad Capt Azizul Islam was held at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday. Sanskrity Bikash Kendra organised the event.

Mahbub Zamil, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor was present as chief guest at the function, while Prof Liaquat Ali, Chairman Sanskrity Bikash Kendra, chaired the session.

Pundit Subhen Chaterjee and Md Jahangir Alam accompanied the flute artist by tabla and tanpura respectively.

A DVD was launched before performance of Ustad Azizul Islam. Chairman of Laser Vision AKM Arifur Rahman and Managing Director of Laser Vision Mazharul Islam, among others, were present on the occasion.

Once a veteran captain of merchant vessel Ustad Azizul Islam took to playing flute from his very childhood. Born in Rajbari, Bangladesh in 1945, he actually hails from Brahmanbaria, the very district where Sur Samrat Ustad Alauddin Khan was born. Captain Islam had his first talim or lessons briefly from Priyada Ranjan Sen Gupta. Later he received direct lessons from legendary flute maestro Panna Lal Ghose, followed by Ustad Bilayet Ali Khan, Ustad Bahadur Khan, VG Karnad and Pandit Debendra Murtheshwar. His life at sea provided him enough seclusion & time to home his skills at flute playing.

Numerous solo and duet performances in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia & elsewhere of the globe had earned warm appreciation for him and honour as well, such as, 'Sahitya Academy Padak,' 'Citycell-Channel i Music Award' (twice) as the best classical instrumentalist of the country. Ustad Islam is wholly devoted towards this passion of his life, flute playing & aiming at achieving the ultimate in this art form.