Cultural Correspondent
August 30 marked the first death anniversary of powerful vocalist Abdul Jabbar. On the eve of this day his family members helped organise an elaborate commemorative programme. Magicians Federation of Bangladesh organised the programme at Music and Dance Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. His daughter Jesmine Jabbar rendered songs at the event alongside other singers like Abida Rahman, GM Jakir Hossain, Mir Sharif Hasan Lenin, Himadri Rai and Abdullah Hel Rafi Talukder.
Jesmine Jabbar was not the only one from Jabbar’s family to be present at the programme. His widow Halima Jabbar was also present. Present among others were poet Kazi Rozi, Syed Hasan Imam, singer Rashidul Alam and Monowar Hossain, general secretary of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Parishad. Discussants at the event said that Jabbar joined Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra to play his part in the Liberation War. He explored numerous towns in India singing songs in support of the Liberation War. He collected 1.2 million rupee all of which he deposited to the government of Independent Bangladesh. They also said that though Jabbar is dead his songs are still popular among the general mass.
Jesmine Jabbar started the performances with her rendition of Jabbar’s song “Ami Prodiper Moto Raat Jege Jege”. Then Abida Rahman sang “Ekhane Amar Padma-Meghna” and consecutively the hugely popular “Jibono Adhare Peyechi Tomare.” GM Jakir sang “Tarabhora Raat-E”. Then came the phenomenal and soulful songs “O Re Neel Doriya” and “Tumi Ki Dekhecho Prabhu” from Mir Sharif Hasan and Himadri Rai. Sardar Hiron Raja sang the patriotic songs “Salam Salam Hajar Salam” and “Mujib Baiya Jao.”
