Exponent and an icon of folk music, Mustafa Zaman Abbasi recently performed to a receptive audience at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in the city. The renowned singer rendered songs such as “Kon Ronge Baindhachho Gharkhana”, “Aamar Ontare Boirageer Lau Baje”, “O Rongila Nayer Majhi”, “Hason Raja Bole O Allah”, “Yaad Aaye Ki Na Aaye Tumhari”, “Mone Robe Ki Na Robe”, “Allah Megh De Pani De”, “Oki Bondhu Kajol Bhomorare” and more at the programme.
Son of legendary folk-singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, Abbasi is himself a collector of folk songs and has been dominating the cultural field for more than half a century.
Abbasi has trained under maestros of Indian classical music such as Ustad Muhammad Hussain Khasru, Ustad Gul Mohammad Khan and others. He has published 50 research papers on traditional music and culture. He has also published several books, most notably on poems of Jalaluddin Rumi, Niffari, Sultan Bahu, Mewlana Rumi and others.
Abbasi was honoured with the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to music in 1995. He has also been honoured with the Apex Foundation Award, Natyasobha Award, Bengal Centenary Award, Abbasuddin Gold Medal, Manik Mia Award, Sylhet Music Award and Lalon Parishad Award.
IGCC, in association with Asian Paints, IRCON and Marico Bangladesh, organised the event as part of its regular cultural programmes.