Photo: Messenger
Saadi Mohammad, an icon in pursuit of popularising Rabindra Sangeet in both Bangladesh, India and Bangalee diaspora abroad, terminated his precious life on March 13.
It was no doubt a tragic end to this talented vocalist of Bangladesh, as well as that of the Sub-Continent plus the rest of the globe. It will be difficult for all Rabindra Sangeet lovers of the modern age to recover from this dreaded shock which humanity has faced in the 21st century.
From the philosophical point of view, there is a common thought which generated in our mind. There is no certainty of human longevity. As we are alive now any moment we might depart for eternal peace and no man’s land. But as long as we remain alive, we must aim to contribute something vital for human welfare and emancipation.
Saadi Mohammad was one such personality in his role as a well-known Rabindra Sangeet vocalist of repute who will be remembered in our lives forever.
This writer, who hails from Kolkata, begins the day by listening to Saadi’s mellifluous voice. When I hear his mellifluous voice, then my heart and mind derive new energy and courage upon self. The age was nothing alarming, but why did he choose this path? The age was just seventy. The way Kalim Sharafi, Santidev Ghosh, Sailajaranjan Majumdar, Wahidul Haq, etc could get such prolonged longevity, why not Saadi? Nobody could give me a proper answer to it. Saadi was just seventy years of age. It is nothing, as per the current scenario.
Saadi Mohammad was such a personality who wished to begin his life as an engineer. However, due to the impact of ambience, he decided to switch streams after being in the midst of his preliminary life as an engineering student. But he decided to shift his stream to vocal music. Hence, he decided to move on to Shantiniketan on a Bangladesh government scholarship. From the University of Viswa Bharati, Saadida obtained his B. Music and M.Music from VBU.
Returning to his motherland, Saadi Mohammad decided to coach budding talents in the world of Rabindrasangeet. To his students, he was just like an Almighty. That was evident in the way his students converged at his Mohammadpur residence to pay their last respects. Saadi’s basics in the world of Rabindra Sangeet were inculcated upon him by his able mentors like Santidev Ghosh, Kanika Bandopadhyay, Nilima Sen and Shailajaranjan Majumdar.
Now coming to Rabindra Sangeet, which was sung by Saadi, all were superb in the minds of all his ardent admirers of Bangladesh and India. He was also equally proficient in modern song and patriotic songs. Not only did he render solo performances, but he also performed with other legends like Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Papia Sarwar, Shakila Zafar and various other vocalists of Bangladesh.
Born in an erudite family based in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Young Saadi was moulded into music by his family. One of his younger siblings is Shibli Mohammad, the noted danseuse of repute, who is equally popular in Bangladesh, India, plus the rest of the globe.
As days pass, Saadi Mohammad will remain immortal in the minds of all his ardent admirers in Bangladesh, India plus the rest of the globe. But truly, his demise under tragic circumstances cannot be accepted throughout our lives. In the science of philosophy, there is a well-known saying that one day all of us have to depart for eternal peace. But why humanity has been so cruel in not preventing Saadi from taking such cruel steps in life? If he was alive, he could have given us more solace through his mellifluous voice.
Now Saadi Mohammad is in a different world. He has become mixed up with the stars. Rabindra Sangeet, a vocalist of Bangladesh and India, will always feel blessed by him. Any form of Rabindra Sangeet, the singer, was well adept to perform. Such as love (prem), nature (prakriti) and worship (puja), he was well equipped to perform in front of large audiences in Bangladesh, India and other parts of the globe.
Among all his popular Rabindra Sangeet songs, prominent among all are stated as such, Baje Baje Ramya Bina Baje, Je Chilo Amar Swapono Charini, Koto Baro Bhebe Chinu, Aji Bangladesher Hridoy Hote, Jodi Tor Dak Shune Keu Na Ashe, Din Guli Mor Sonar Khancha, Purano Sei Diner Khata, etc.
The pity part to be noted is that Bangladesh gave birth to several Rabindra Sangeet singers. Among the present one, Saadi was holding on to the baton but his untimely and tragic demise was not only shattering and shocking to all his admirers in Bangladesh and India. This will remain a stigma in our minds and hearts, as humanity cannot give proper recognition and reverence to this talented Bangladeshi soul.
Life has become so cruel and harsh that real talents are always ignored. Despite the shock and despondency, we faced. But we derive solace upon us. As long as Bonya, Papia, Fahem, Rajan Mustafa Dipraw, Moyna, Anima Roy, etc. remain alive, they will hold aloft the noble sanctity of Rabindrasangeet in the upcoming days of our life.
Lastly, I pay my deepest homage to this talented soul in the world of Rabindra Sangeet in the South Asian Sub-Continent. Saadi will remain deeply embedded in our souls forever as days pass off like swift of current. Hope other vocalists will try to get rid of this traumatic phase of their life. Lastly, it would be indecorous on our part that Saadi is not paid the due respect instead of his services in the world of Rabindra Sangeet and modern songs along with patriotic songs.
The writer is a journalist and writer based in Kolkata, India. He could be reached at [email protected].
Messenger/Disha
