FEATURE

Prayers at the mosque-madrasa on James’ birthday

Popular singer Faruq Mahfuz Anam, who known by his stage-name James, turns 58 today. His fans, friends, and well-wishers from around the world have sent their greeting messages to the artiste as he turns another year older.

His co-artistes also take to the social media and shower love on James with birthday wishes.

Every year the devotees organize various events on the Guru’s birthday. This time too he is no exception.

Rubaiyat Tagore Robin, a spokesman for James, said that every year, fans from different districts of the country organize various events to celebrate his birthday. This time too I have learned about several such initiatives.

Fans of James called ‘Dushtu Cheler Dol’   from different districts have organized various events throughout the day .

In Dhaka, Khulna, Jessore, Narsingdi, Rangpur, Meherpur, Kurigram, Bhola Patuakhali, Kishoreganj and other districts of the country, they organized prayers at various gatherings including mosques / madrasas for longevity and good health of James. Alsothey will cut cakes and arranged songs and chats with the underprivileged.

James is one of the popular singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer and playback singer of the country.  He was born in Naogaon this day in 1964.

James is often referred to as Guru in the country’s music arena. He is currently the lead guitarist and vocalist of music band Nagar Baul (the Urban Mendicant).

He has also lent voice to a few songs in Bollywood movies. James rose to fame in 1990s as the front man of Feelings, now renamed Nagar Baul.

James is considered to be the pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh.

James was raised in Rajshahi and Chattogram. His father was a government employee who was later appointed as the chairman of the Chattogram Education Board.

James first played guitar with his friends when he was a student of class seven in 1973. Following a huge dispute with his family, James left his house when he was in class eight.

Many lyricists have written songs for James, including Poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi.

Prayers at the mosque-madrasa on James' birthday

Musicians like Lucky Akhand and Manam Ahmed have also composed songs for him.

His first solo album was Anonya, released in 1988, followed by Palabe Kothai in 1995, Dukhini Dukkho Korona in 1997, Thik Achhe Bondhu in 1999, Aami Tomader-I Lok in 2003, Janata Express in 2005, Toofan in 2006 and Kal Jomuna in 2009.

James has been one of the most popular artistes, both as a solo musician and with his band in Bangladesh and in West Bengal in India since the 1990s.

James met Pritam, a Bengali music composer-singer working in Bollywood, in 2004.

In 2005, James did the playback for the Bollywood movie Gangster. The title of the song was Bheegi Bheegi and it was a blockbuster hit

In his motherland, James received Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer twice for the films Desha: The Leader (2014) and Swatta (2017). As a solo artist, he has released a total of 8 albums and many mixed album with renowned artists of Bangladesh.

Taray Taray Rotiye Debo‘(penned by legendary poet Shamsur Rahman), Maa, Bangladesh, Pagla Hawaa, Dushtu Chheler Dol, Guru Ghor Banaila Ki Diya, Mirabai etc. are some of James’s iconic Bengali rock numbers that cemented his legacy as Guru to his fans in all over the world.

James has also proved his versatility in other mediums as a photographer and media entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Chairman of the board of renowned Bangladeshi production house Red Dot Entertainment.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close