I’m happy with how far we’ve come as a nation: Rafiqul Alam

Rafiqul Alam is one of the artistes who performed at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra to inspire the freedom fighters during the 1971 Liberation War. His deep voice and explorations into many genres of music have earned him a place in the hearts of Bangladeshi people for decades. The veteran singer talked to The Business Post’s Antara Raisa on the eve of the 50th Victory Day.

How did you join the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra? 

I came from a political family. My father and uncle were followers of Congress before the partition. One of my cousins was very active in the 1952 Language Movement. All of them had an impact on me. So, when the Liberation War started, it was inevitable for us to join in the war. I along with one of my cousins went to Murshidabad to join in the war. And, I was asked to join the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra midway.

Tell us about your collaboration in the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra? 

In Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, I mostly sang patriotic songs and joined the chorus performances. The first recording in my life was Samar Das’ ‘Nongor Tolo Tolo’. In addition to singing, I was given the task of producing six songs – ‘Shat Kori Aaj Prohor Prodip’, ‘Jay Jodi Jak Pran Tobu Debona Debona Debona Golar Dhan’, ‘Jago Jago Prodip Nibhaye Dao’, ‘Jago Jago Torobari Haate Nao’, ‘Jono Potho Prantore Shagorer Bondore Tole Jhongkar Chai Protishodh Protishodh Protikar’.

What were your memorable events at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra?

Every memory at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra is still vivid to me. Our goal was to motivate the freedom fighters and to convey to the world community the message that this is a war for the birth of a nation, not a separatist movement. I was fighting the war with my voice. Freedom fighters from the battlefields also gave us feedback that it helped them to plan their war tactics.

I recall an event that was arranged by the World Peace Council at 144, Lenin Street, Kolkata in the month of June. Sanjida Khatun, Wahidul Hoq, Shaheen Samad and Binu Ahmed were among the performers. It was a massive event. Some Indians were perplexed by the assumption that it was Pakistan’s internal conflict. We began campaigning with our music programme, inviting journalists, artistes, and cultural activists to help us let the world know about our Liberation War.

Actor Uttam Kumar hosted the show. Aparna Sen and Debabrata Biswas were there at the event. We sang alongside singers like Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Kanika Bandopadhyay, and Arati Mukhopadhyay, who were very popular at that time. I got to perform solos with Probal Chowdhury. Probal sang Rabindra Sangeet while I sang an Atul Prasad song. The remaining songs were all chorus. Mustafa Monwar designed a stunning stage for the event with a mural. Kaifi Azmi, a writer and father of Shabana Azmi, handed me a poem about our Liberation War to compose a song out of it.

Do you regret not joining the war on the war front?

Yes, I regret that. In October, I the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra left for a month to fight on the war front because I was feeling like I am betraying myself and my country. I went to Balurghat to get war training. But there Ghulam Arieff Tipoo, a language movement veteran, made me understand that not everyone has to fight on the battlefield. War can be fought from many angles. He asked me to return to the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. During that time I was feeling guilty as I was having a safe life in Kolkata but my family and friends were on the war front.

Bangladesh marks the Golden Jubilee of its glorious victory. What’s your expectation from the country at this stage?

Obviously, our expectations and dream for the country are different from the generations who have no experience of the Liberation War. We expected much more. When we hear anything bad about the country, our heart bleeds. When we hear anything good, we feel so happy and proud that we can’t sleep at night out of overwhelming joy. Indeed, there are so many proud moments for our country.

We have seen the country arise from the ashes to the present condition. So, I don’t feel that our expectations are not being met. Yes, there are some bad experiences too. But it’s all part of the process. We have improved in the public health and communication sectors. Our average life expectancy has increased a lot. I’m happy with how far we’ve come as a nation.

What are your thoughts about today’s music? 

I think the quality of songs has decreased a lot due to the advancement of technology. It reduced the creativity of the young singers. They don’t put the necessary effort required for the creation of a good song because of the advancement of technology. I think the practice of lyrics-based songs has also decreased. But the young singers have lots of talent. They will have to utilise it properly.