Yasmin Mushtari

Despite being classically trained Yasmin Mushtari's easy vocal delivery and highly emotive style of rendering songs has forever earned her a place in Bengali people’s heart. Her slightly breathy or husky voice is well suited for the Love Songs of Kazi Nozrul. She projects her true passion best while performing live.Even though Yasmin comes from a family that had already produced 2 renowned singers (sisters: Shabnam + Parveen) she was able to carve out a niche for herself in the field of “Nazrul Geeti”. The youngest of 3 sisters and 2 brothers, Yasmin Mushtari is always humble, generous, smiling... Yasmin was born in a well known family – enlightened, socially aware and with a history of rich cultural heritage. Her father was the late Poet Talim Hossain (the founder of Nazrul Academy) and mother s the late Editor/ writer Begum Mafruha Chowdhury – 2 eminant personalities in the fields of literature and journalism. They were both the main architects of her musical career.Her childhood abode was a learning place where famous singers, dancers, political leaders, instructors would frequent for soirees. It’s in such events that she met the King of Ghazals: Mehdi Hassan. She was mesmorized with his trance-like state while singing and asked him to make her his pupil (sharged). Though his time was limited he agreed to impart on her the secrets of singing Ghazals.Yasmin started her music lessons at the age of 10, and completed the 6 year course with top distinction and was later the recipient of the Gold Medal. Still it was not easy for her to succeed in the world of music. Somehow the record labels were unwilling to back up someone else from the same family that had already produced two famous performers: Shabnam Mushtari and Parveen Mushtari. On top of that her personal life was also briefly marked by tumultuous relationship… She had to struggle very hard to make it but her faith and love in music wasn’t wavered. While success was late in coming she did earn the love and respect of the audience one at a time - she would sing at soirees, local functions, at hotels and clubs, on radio and TV.Today she is not only a well loved and respected singer but also a loving wife to businessman Mushtaq Ahmad and devoted mother of 2 wonderful children.Besides Nazrul Sangeet, Yasmin Mushtari also sings songs of other genres: especially “Adhunik”/ Classic Popular Standards and some Contemporary Bangla songs. Recently, an album has been released titled “Cheye Dekhona”Among the most popular of her Nazrul Songs rendered are those featuring love, celebration and worship. And Yasmin's favorite performance memory in her own words: "I think it goes back to the time when I was very young. I remember the Sangeeta Cinema Hall where Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan introduced me to the audience and I had the rare opputunity to perform with him. It was the most memorable event of my life and it was my first public appearance."Address: 50/2 West Hajipara, Rampura, Dhaka-1219 (OR 21 West Malibug, Dhaka-1217)Phone/Fax: (880 2) 839620 / (880-2) 9331666 /9338899"So who was Kazi Nozrul? Perhaps it would be easier if I start with his own words, "Even though I was born in this country (Bengal), in this society, I don't belong to just this country, this society. I belong to the world." Kazi Nozrul (1899-1976) was an amazingly versatile and talented individual. He was a great poet, a great novelist, an advocate of Independence and Freedom and, above all else, a great song-writer and composer. (He's known to have written and composed the music to some 3,000 songs, the largest by any Bengali.) Many of his songs, particularly the love songs became instantly popular and are still revered. His songs are extremely romantic, lyric, appealing and rich in metaphors. Nozrul's understanding of Indian Classical Music was so complete that he actually created several new Ragas: including Dolon Chapa and Benuka. Most of his works truthfully represent the life-style he led - the struggle of a poor childhood, his intense patriotism, and bohemian life as a poet. A personality full of love - romantic - who could also express his feelings in the most beautiful way. His was one of the strongest voices against bigotry, injustice, oppression and inequality of all kind. He was a passionate advocate of religious/ideological harmony as reflected particularly in his contribution toward better Hindu-Muslim relationship. He not only wrote Hindu Shyma songs but also Islamic songs proclaiming universal values, peace, freedom, justice, harmony and cooperation, while repudiating any bigotry, extremism, fanaticism, narrow-mindedness, judgmental, exploitation in the name of any religion or ideology. He was the symbol of ever fresh youth, valor, creativity, freedom and indomitable human spirit; and, most importantly, he was a wonderful, warm-hearted, loving human being."Nazrul Academy Belalabad Colony, Moghbazar Dhaka - 1217 Phone: 416029 This institute is named after the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. It offers training and performance programs in music, dance, literature and drama.