Khairul Anam Shakil

On the occasion of our National Poet's 110th birth anniversary, two new albums -- “Gaan Guli Mor” and “Shei Mukh Porey Mone,” -- featuring Nazrul Sangeet recorded by accomplished singer Khairul Anam Shakil were launched recently by Laser Vision. Shakil is the general secretary, a senior teacher and head of Nazrul Sangeet Department, Chhayanaut.
The albums are collections of carefully chosen familiar and lesser known Nazrul songs. Patriotic songs such as "Shyamla boron Bangla ma-er"; compositions on monsoon -- "Rumjhum badal aaji boroshey," "Shaono raatey jodi" and a 'dhrupad,' "Desh Gouro bijoyey Debraaj"; folk numbers -- "Shakhi shap-er moni," a 'bhatiali,' "Nadir naam shoi Anjana," raaga based, "O sandhya malati," and "Payela boley rinijhini," are the highpoints of the repertoire. The albums also contain two duets by Shakil and his wife Kalpana Anam -- "Mora aar janamey" and "Mora chhinu ekela."
“Nazrul songs have a vast range when considering volume and variation. The not-so-familiar songs were chosen with a view to introduce them to listeners," said Shakil.
"The original compositions of Nazrul, starting from lyrics to notations, have been meticulously followed in the album. Authenticity of the tunes and lyrics was verified by Nazrul Institute," the artiste said.
The albums were recorded in Kolkata. Music direction was done by Durbadal Chattyopadhyay, Buddhadev Ganguli and Saikat Dhar.
"Gaan Guli Mor" is the seventh and "Shei Mukh Porey Mone," the eighth album by Shakil.
His previous albums include -- "Shadh jagey mon-e" (1998); "Gobhir Nisheethey Ghum Bhengey Jaye" (1999); "Pashaner Bhangaley Ghum" (2001); "Shyamla Boron" (2007); a duet with Kalpana Anam, "Mora Aar Janamey" (2007) and "Chhilo Chand Megher Porey," an album featuring songs of five poets (Tagore, Nazrul, DL Roy, Rajnikant and Atul Prasad). Shakil's debut album "Meghey Meghey Andho" was released in 1996.
On his future plans, Shakil said, "As a Nazrul artiste, my aim is to work on this genre and promote the National Poet's songs.”