Khairul Anam Shakil is renowned as a Nazrul singer. A teacher and general secretary of Chhayanat, Shakil is also a familiar name to admirers of harano diner gaan and adhunik gaan. His wife, Kalpana Anam is also an accomplished artiste.
Two albums by the artiste-duo -- Mrittika and Shonar Kathi Rupor Kathi -- are currently available in the music market.
Mrittika, produced by Laser Vision, features ten patriotic songs. Shakil's rendition of Mago tomar shobuj chadorey (written by Syed Mohsin Munir and composed by Kazi Hablu) opens the album. The next song Ei Banglar Matitey (written by Jaidev Sen and composed by Samir Dev) is sung by Kalpana.
The only duet by Shakil and Kalpana featured in the album is Aaj noi gungun, written and composed by legendary music director Salil Chowdhury.
Patriotic songs that have become synonymous with Victory Day or Independence Day celebrations like Ek shagor rokter binimoye (written by Govind Haldar and composed by Apel Mahmud); Amar desher matir gondhey (written by Maniruzzaman and composed by Abdul Ahad); O amar Bangla ma tor (written by Md. Fakhruddin and composed by Alauddin Ali) and the Tagore classic O amar desher mati, make this album a must-have.
The other album by Shakil and Kalpana, Shonar Kathi Rupor Kathi, produced by World Music, features eleven tracks, widely popular as “betar-er gaan” (songs on the radio) and film songs from the '60s and '70s.
The opening song Shonar Kathi Rupor Kathi (written by Nayeem Gauhar and composed by Anwar Parvez) rendered by Shakil sets the mood. It's a trip down memory lane made thoroughly enjoyable by the singer-duo.
Kalpana provides a fresh approach to Khola janalaye cheye dekhi (written by Mukul Chowdhury and composed by Raja Hossain Khan), a song once made famous by Shahanaz Rahmatullah.
Jaar chhaya porechhey (written by Syed Shamsul haq and composed by Satya Saha) rendered by Kalpana, is another classic that can to stir up some fond memories.
Among other well-known songs featured in the album are -- Tumi kokhon eshey (written by Gazi Mazharul Anwar and composed by Satya Saha) sung by Shakil; Tumi jey amar kobita (written by Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal and composed by Subal Das), a duet; Ogo mor geetimoy (written by Kamol Ghosh and composed by Robin Chattyopadhyay) rendered by Kalpana and Tumi shandhyakasher tarar moto (written by Musa Ahmed and composed by Ajmal Huda Mithu) sung by Shakil.