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The origin of song “O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid”

Historically Bangalees are passionate music lovers. We have songs based on different occasions. When it comes to celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, a particular song that brings the Eid happiness in our minds is “O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid”.

Our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is the lyricist and composer of this song which has become the signature tune for Eid ul-Fitr in our country. Abbas Uddin Ahmed sang the song for the first time. And the song became a huge hit through a record by the Gramophone Company.

O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid…

Kazi Nazrul Islam was basically a poet who was unfairly treated by the British government. His rebel attitude during his early days earned him a huge popularity among the mass people. Simultaneously, he had to go to the jail, his books were banned. As a result, economically he also faced a very tough situation throughout his life.

Nazrul always had a fascination towards music. In the matured age, he found that writing and composing different songs professionally for the music companies is a safer profession. It also satisfied him mentally. During the early days of 1930 Nazrul started writing and composing songs professionally. Many of his songs achieved immense popularity which encouraged the Gramophone Company to release more songs of him.

Singer Abbas Uddin Ahmed was a great admirer of Kazi Nazrul Islam. He wrote about the history of first Bangla Islami song in his Dinlipi o Amar Shilpi Jiboner Kotha’s page no. 133.

Abbas Uddin requested the poet to create some Bangla Islamic songs as he knew that this kind of songs can bring more appreciation. But, Nazrul said several time that if the higher authority of the Gramophone Company agreed to release such music, only then he would write and compose. Unfortunately, Gramophone Company authorities did not agree to release any record based on Islamic songs at first.

Well, after receiving a continuous request from Abbas Uddin Ahmed, at last Gramophone Company’s rehearsal in charge, Vogoboti Bhattacharjo agreed to release music record based on Islamic song. Abbas Uddin went to the Gramophone Company studio to inform Kazi Nazrul Islam about the permission. Hearing the news Nazrul really became glad and requested Abbas Uddin to bring some betel for him. Immediately, Abbas Uddin bought betel for Nazrul. Then, the poet instructed him to close the door so that he can write the song silently.

Vastly talented Kazi Nazrul Islam spent only thirty minutes to write this great song spontaneously. And he didn’t take too much time either to set the tune for the song. Four days later, Kazi Nazrul Islam recorded the song through the voice of Abbas Uddin Ahmed. Back then music record discs contained two songs in two sides. Kazi Nazrul Islam created another song “Islamer oi shouda nie elo nobin shoudagor” and recorded it on the following day. Eid-ul-Fitr was two months away. Gramophone Company took it as an experiment and released the record just before the Eid. Surprisingly, the song was an instant hit. The song became so popular that the mass people used to sing the song everywhere.

Kazi Nazrul Islam has written many poems based on both Hindu and Muslim myths. But, a section of fundamental personalities criticized and blamed Nazrul for writing poetry on Hindu myth.

“O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid” literally changed the scenario. Kazi Nazrul Islam regained his position in the hearts of Muslims. It was the beginning of Islami songs’ journey.

After these, many other Islami songs were released by various music companies. Many lyricists, composers and artistes worked on Islamic songs subsequently. Some of them even created new songs based on Eid. But, no one became so successful to surpass the popularity of the song “O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid”.

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