About Me
Meet Samina Chowdhury (by Novera Deepita.)Her recently released album Phul phote phul jhare, a compilation of her most popular songs, has had a tremendous feedback from the audience. Her most popular tracks, recorded with new arrangements and instruments, such as Ekbar jodi keu bhalobashto, Tomar bhanga garite ami jabo na, Amar buker modhye khane and of course her debut hit Phul phote phul jhare are included in this latest collection. Says Samina: 'After the favourable audience reaction, I felt that the songs were really good and the audience were well versed in music. Actually they have changed their taste from cheap to quality music'Samina believes that the media is reluctant to promote two people from the same family. Fahmida and Samina are the burning examples of this trend. As Samina has a reputation as a celebrated singer, her sister Fahmida did not get the break she deserved as a singer. 'But Fahmida has a truly melodious voice,' said Samina. 'Sometimes she even sings like Arati Mukhopaddhaya. My father Mahmudun Nabi used to say that she has a rich voice.'According to Samina, she was inspired to sing by her father. She recalls: 'My father considered music as an art form. He never politicised himself in the industry. He was an artiste not only in his voice, but also in his work, behaviour, thoughts and emotions. So I think I have gone in my father's footsteps in singing without compromising with the contemporary cheap trend.'When asked why she is popular, Samina smiled amiably, 'I think I have chosen a simple yet honest way to lead my life. I avoid hypocrisy. May be the audience likes me for this reason. Actually an artiste must primarily win respect from the audience and the other qualities come later.'Samina's interest initially lay in dancing and acting. But in the late 1970s , inspired by her mother, she took part in the Natun Kuri competition and rendered a patriotic song Prothom Bangladesh. She won the first prize. This is how her journey began. When she was a student of class VIII, celebrated music director Alauddin Ali came to her house and took her to the recording studio for a playback song. The playbacks of the film Janmo Theke Jwalchhi - she performed the title track and Ekbar jodi keu bhalobashto. Both of the songs were massive hits.Later she got an offer to perform a song on television, which was a romantic track titled Phul phote phul jhare. Again she had a new feather in her crown as it was a big hit too.. But according to Samina, she is fortunate that she has had a break in the music industry. Not everybody is so lucky to have a break in the initial period of one's career.The singers Samina admires most are Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh. She said, 'I try to follow their singing style, particularly their clear pronunciation and the melody of their voices.'About the new trend of music, which is widely known as fusion music, blending contemporary with the classical ones, she appreciates this effort of the younger generation. To quote her, 'If the folk songs are improvised and accepted widely when sung with modern instruments then it is okay. But "remaking" classics is like distorting the melody. I clearly detest it. The digital effect is simply irritating.'Samina is a bit disappointed with the new artistes who give emphasis to the visual rather than the musical aspect. In her view, there are many trash performances of new artistes in the promotional programmes on the television, because the makers of the programmes have to fulfill the demands of the sponsors. In Samina's view visual is important but it is obviously secondary to music. She urged the audience to listen and promote good music and to eliminate the cheap and vulgar songs.Her latest venture is a new album Dui Chokhe Dui Nodi. This album will contain about 10 songs, including six old and four new tracks. She is optimistic about the album and hopes that it will attract the music lovers.
____________________________________________________________
______Samina's concert captivates fans (by Karim Waheed)Samina Chowdhury needs no introduction to the music lovers in the country. Over the last two decades, she has made a stand for herself among the leading artistes through her vocal dexterity and her capability of emoting while singing. That is the sign of a true artiste, when one can relay the message of the song to the audience.Fusion organised a solo concert by Samina on April 8 at the Shishu Academy Auditorium. Here is an excerpt of a brief conversation with Samina prior to the show."I try to perform songs that the audience prefers, at concerts. My effort is to get close to my audience," says Samina. When asked how she feels about the recent trend of remixes and remakes, she says, "There's good and bad in everything. However, one thing that is very clear through this popularity of remixes and remakes is that authentic and beautiful old Bangla songs still have a mass-appeal." Is she interested in doing remakes of old songs? "I have quite a few favourites among the songs of yesteryears or Harano Diner Gaan. There are some songs of my father, Mahmudunnabi, that I'd love to do. But I don't have the guts," asserts Samina. What is the reason for her hesitation? Samina has a ready response: "I feel that I might not be able to perform these classics with perfection and I don't want to degrade these songs by doing a mediocre job." Her recent works that have satisfied her, are film songs such as, Na Bolo Na, Amar Majhey Nei Ami from the movie Ranikuthir Baaki Itihash and Tumi Bolle Udal Debo.The show started a little late, but the audience waited patiently to hear the popular artiste. Samina started off the show with her first song for BTV, Phool photey phool jhorey.This was followed by a performance of Rooposhi raate, a song from her recent album Du chokhey du nodi. A rendition of Amar buker moddhekhaney, an immensely popular song from the film Noyoner Alo, was next. The deeper message of eternal love seemed to touch the audience.Samina paid tribute to her father, the renowned musician, Late Mahmudunnabi by rendering his song Gaan-eri khatae shorolipi likhe.Her rendition of Kobita porar prohor eshechey took the listeners to another realm; a realm of melancholy serenity glowing with fireflies. This is perhaps her most popular song.Samina also performed Harano diner gaan such as Banshi shune aar kaaj nai and Shaat bhai Champa. Her rendition of Kono ek shundori raate received repeated audience applause.She needed a male vocal with her to perform the duet, Amar gorur garitey bou shajiye, so she asked the audience if anyone would be interested to sing along with her. Shafique from the audience, who is the host of a music show on TV called "Music Plus", agreed to pitch in. The performance was lively and energetic.It was an evening of musical bliss and Samina left the audience craving for more.
