Momtaz: queen of folk

Nusrat Jahan Pritom

For over decades she has enthralled the world with the mystic lyrics and exotic beats of folk and baul songs with an essence of mysticism prevalent in all her compositions. Momtaz Begum, at present also a member of parliament, began her musical life at quite an early age, holding the hands of her father Modhu Boyati who was also a folk singer. Everything around her, the musical world and the serene countryside inspired her, her father and her guru Matal Razzaque Dewan. The kind of music she used to perform such as Marfati, Boithoki and Murshidily fall under the genre of mystic songs.
   She was just a little girl who used to roam about from village to village with her father who used to play Ektara, Dutara and various other instruments. One day when she was two and a half years of age, she was humming away 'Bhebechhilam ki ei hale din jabe' on her bed. The song was so heart-touching and all the more so as it was gushing from the child that her father was immensely impressed.
   There used to be 'Ganner Asar' (musical soirees) in her district. In such a 'Ganner Asar', little Momtaz, aged about three, requested her uncle Baul Islam Sarkar to allow her to sing. Her request was heard and she had to be raised on the table to sing as she was small and could not be seen by all. Then she began her song 'Din gele din ar pabina'. All, who were present, were spell-bound and that day she got a handsome honorarium in her early career. 'You will lose the money, 'her father had told her but Momtaz said, 'No father, I will keep them safe in a clay bank (matir bank).' In this way little Momtaz had found a means to solve her family's financial troubles. This went on until the day her father fell terribly sick. They required a lot of money for his medical treatment and Momtaz went on singing untiringly to resolve the trouble and look after her family.
   Momtaz is one of those rare personalities whose knowledge of music is self-acquired. One thing that is indisputable about her is her inborn talent and indomitable spirit. Singing was at first a way of life, a way to meet everyday needs of her small family and yet, through this she has become the queen of folk music. Her fame as a singer has crossed the boundaries of her own country in course of time. She has her name in the Guinness Records now.
   Last year, Momtaz released her latest album 'Rosher Kotha'. She was also one of the judges of the show 'Shah Cement Nirman Taroka'. Some of her famous music albums include Return Ticket, Ashol Boithoki, Murshider Talim, Ronger Bazar etc.
   Her unconventional style and meaningful lyrics have captivated her fans not only in the rural areas but also in urban areas. It makes one wonder to appreciate the fact that her songs have been received with rapturous acclaim all over the world even in this rock and roll era. Last year she was appointed a member of the Parliament.
   Momtaz has recorded over 700 albums and recently she has begun to compile all her records, the process of which is still going on.
   Momtaz is going to Malaysia on September 12, the very next day after Eid. She hasn't been appearing in many shows lately.
   Apart from being a singer, Momtaz is also a benevolent worker. It was she who took up the pivotal role in the establishment of an eye hospital in her native village Shingair in 2004. Momtaz has also participated in other programmes for various social causes to help countless lives. Momtaz Foundation, established in 2008, looks after Momtaz Eye hospital and Momtaz Child and Eye Hospital.
   The writer is a freelance contributor

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Ariful Islam Mithu

The innocent face with the probing eyes! Beware; Sohana Saba is going to steal something. No need to take it other ways, popular actor Sohana Saba is talking about her new films.
   Speaking about her recent activities, Saba said that she is going to work in two more feature films, shooting for both the films will be start by the end of this year. Both the film will feature Saba in leading roles. One among these two is 'Dour,' directed by Murad Parvez. The film deals with a burglar community. 'I will also play a female thief in the film,' said Saba smilingly. However, she did not disclose anything about the other film she is likely to perform. 'I haven't talked with the director about my role in the film yet. The film is yet in an initial phase. So I cannot say anything right now,' Saba said.
   Debuting her career in film with the film 'Ayna' directed by Kabori Sarwar which won her Meril Prothom Alo Award in 2006, Saba has so far acted in several critically acclaimed film including 'Khelaghar,' 'Chandragrahan' and 'Rupantor.' The fact that most of her films are not fall in the so called category of 'mainstream' commercial films, it never obstructed her to be one of the most popular faces in the media.
   Though Saba entered in the cultural scene of the country as a dancer, she always had the 'romantic' dream to be a popular actor one day. She did not take much time to make her dreams true. She is now one of the busiest actors, working both for small and big screens. She is now regularly seen in two popular drama serials, 'Poush Faguner Pala,' being aired on ATN Bangla and 'Manabjamin' on ntv.
   Besides, Saba is also very busy with several TV plays for the approaching Eid. When asked top name some plays, Saba was quick to answer, 'You have asked the toughest question. I cannot remember the titles of my plays.'

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Cultural Correspondent

Monpura famed actor Farhana Mili will be seen in Selim Al Deen's play Bashon. The play has already been celebrated by the audience on stage, while Mili is working on the small screen version of the play by the illustrious playwright. She is playing the role of a young, bold village-girl who chooses to take her own life to relieve her family from a crisis evolved out of her marriage.
   Jointly directed by Murad and Sajib, 'Bashon' will be telecast on the occasion of the 61st birth anniversary of Selim Al Deen which falls on August 18.
   The play revolves around a plate a family inherits for generations and regards as a holy relic. Koitori, played by Mili, is the daughter of this family. When Koitori's poor father decides to sell the plate to get the money her husband demanded from him, Koitori commits suicide to resolve all the problems.
   'It's a great opportunity for me to work in the iconic playwright Selim Al Deen's play. I tried my level best to portray the character, full of emotion as it is,' said the actress.
   Mili is also busy with several single episode TV plays scheduled to be aired on different television channels on the occasion of Eid. Sumon Anwar's 'Bine Suto', Sajzad Sumon's 'Chile Kother Swapna', Tarikul Islam's 'Bou Shasuri Therapy' are some among the TVplays while 'Nakshi Kanthar Math', 'A Jatra by a Microbus' and 'Pangkhi' are the telefilms Mili will be seen in.
   Mili particularly mentioned her role in 'Chiley Kothar Swapna.' 'I played a mischievous girl in the play, who lives in the lap of nature, remaining busy to catch butterflies, climb trees and catch fish all day long. After her marriage at an early age, she is compelled to live with her husband in the town. However, the poor girl finds her childhood again in the paintings of an artist, whom she meets in the town' Mili gives the detail.
   Since Monpura, Mili was not seen in any other feature film yet. Well, she has the good news now. 'I am playing the lead role in Shirin Pasha's directorial venture "Shimanter Charuibhati." It is the character of a Muslim Monipuri girl,' Mili said. The shooting will be start in the winter, as the season has a special place in the story, She added. 'Shimantey Choruivati' is expected to be released in 2011.

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Experiences from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan edited by Firdous Azim and Maheen Sultan

This fascinating volume explores the role that religion, culture and society play in the social and political positioning of women. The collection of essays in the book aims to capture the variety of policies, discourses, debates and interventions that have influenced the lives of women in South Asia and to identify those that have led to greater empowerment of women.
   The contributors assess the current situation and provide a rallying call for progressive politics that is committed to universal values. The essays also review as well as show us the new directions that are opening up new pathways for women to traverse. The three South Asian nations represented here share a common history of colonisation and nation-making and have had similar cultural struggles.
   The book is published by University Press Limited
   Red Crescent House, 61 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka.

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Cultural Correspondent

The 20th film appreciation course by Bangladesh Film Institute started on July 29. Noted filmmaker Tanvir Mokkammel will direct the two-month course that aimed at creating a quality audience in the country who understands film.
   The course syllabus includes the history of world films, cinema-tography, shooting, editing, film languages, art direction, music, costumes, technical aspects, aesthetics and criticism. The course will also have lessons on TV play productions and docu-mentary making.

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