The music arena mourns over the death of eminent folk singer Abdur Rahman Boyati who passed away Monday at Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital after suffering a stroke three months ago.
Abdur Rahman Boyati made an immense contribution in popularizing folk songs to the general audience. He had over 500 albums in his rich musical career, comprising of songs in almost all folk genres. However, the general audience mostly recalls him for the legendary song “Mon Amar Dehoghori.”
From a very early age, he came to the traditional music arena. Eventually, he formed a group in 1982 which is customarily known as Abdur Rahman’s group. This eminent folk singer and lyricist performed almost everywhere in the country, as well as in more than 40 countries across the world.
Notably, he even sang at the White House in 1990, being invited by President George Bush Sr. He was a recipient of six national awards including the Presidency Award of Bangladesh. Renowned folk singer Kuddus Boyati who followed the way that Abdur Rahman Boyati chalked out in the world of music, said: “He was a torch bearer of the folk music of our country. I had an intimate relationship with him, and now his absence is a vacuum that will never be refilled.”
Popular band Feedback’s keyboardist and seasoned composer Foad Nasser Babu shared his experience with the great folk singer while the band made a fusion number on “Mon Amar Dehoghori:” “It was probably 19 years ago that we made the fusion with Boyati and his team for an Eid special magazine show of BTV. It was probably the first baul fusion with western music ever, in Bangladesh. The song surprisingly became a hit and Soundtech released a cassette which included only this song. After that work we developed an intimacy with the legendary singer. ” He also added: “As a singer he was very superior, but personally he was completely down to earth. I find that particular attribute to be the best thing in him.”
Band singer Maksud, who also worked with Boyati in many projects, said: “I am not going to express any light sympathy. He was a legend and I wish his works will continue to inspire the next generations. A person like him will always be remembered and a part of him will live among us forever through the timeless songs he has sung.”
