Explaining what Rabindra Sangeet means to her, she says eloquently, " Tagore songs enrich me greatly. When I am happy, sad or in trouble, I take shelter in Rabindranath. And I like to share the experience with people."

In addition to her singing, Shama is busy shooting for TARA Muzik's weekly programme, titled, Gitobitan. This programme is dedicated to Rabindra Sangeet and features the poet's songs, discussions about his philosophy and his effect on listeners. In addition, her singing has taken her for performances in Mumbai, Kolkata, while she was centre stage recently in a solo performance at the Alliance Francaise, Dhaka.

"The response I get from my audience, is my greatest reward," says Shama. She recounts an anecdote from one of her memorable performances. Memory takes her back four years to a programme organised in Dhanmondi by her late friend Nasreen Haque, the well-known social activist. The gathering mainly comprised of women with breast cancer and friends of patients who had lost their lives to this deadly disease. " I was asked to sing the favourite songs of the audience. It felt really good to see the happiness writ large on their faces," says Shama.

For Shama, nature is a perennial source of inspiration. She is particularly drawn by dusk when she can get a glimpse of the glorious sunset and the vast expanse of the darkening sky. In her words, " Nature always gives me a boost. In Bangladesh all the seasons are beautiful. Each of them has a unique characteristic. I love them all, but the monsoon particularly appeals to me. Through Tagore's songs and poems, I can express all my inner feelings."

Shama has trod a long road with Rabindra Sangeet. She began training in this genre from an early age. Her initial training was at home under the supervision of late Ustad Fazlul Huq with classical music. Later, she studied music at Chhayanat for two years. Finally she was a student at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) under late Atiqul Islam for five years.

Shama is now looking at new directions. She says that her interest lies in teaching, where she believes she could "contribute to society and also promote Tagore's music." Meanwhile as an avid Rabindra Sangeet lover, she strives to imbibe his philosophy and songs in her day to day life.