Nagar Baul (English: Urban Baul)[1] is a Bangladeshi rock band that was founded in Chittagong in 1977 by Kumar Bishwajit.[2][3][4] The band is considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and blues music in the country.[5][6][7] The frontman of the band, James, is referred to as the "Guru of Rock" as a mark of respect.[8]
Nagar Baul নগর বাউল | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Feelings (1977–1999) |
| Origin | Chittagong, Bangladesh |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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History
editNagar Baul started in 1977 and was originally named Feelings and was formed by Kumar Bishwajit.[9] Band members included Ayub Bachchu and James.[9] Ayub Bachchu left the band in 1980.[9]
They released their first album, Station Road.[10] James, lead vocal and guitarist,[11] composed all the tracks, and wrote the lyrics for five of them. Though the album was not a hit, the tracks "Ager Jonome", "Amai Jete Dao" and "Rupshagor" enjoyed moderate success.[citation needed]
In 1993, they released their second album, Jail Theke Bolchhi. This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.[12]
In 1996, they released their third album, Nagar Baul. The Daily Star wrote, "Nagar Baul introduced Bangladesh to a whole new way of singing".[13] It had the "classic" and "iconic" song, "Taray Taray Rotiye Debo", based on the poem "Uttor" by great poet Shamsur Rahman.[14]
In 1998, they released their fourth album, Lais Fita Lais.[15]
In 1999, the band was renamed from Feelings to Nagar Baul.
In 2001, their fifth album, Dushtur Cheler Dol, was released.[16] This was their first album release under the new band name Nagar Baul, named after their album from 1996.
Members
editPresent members
- Faruq Mahfuz Anam James — vocals, lead guitars (1983–present)[17]
- Ahsan Elahi Fanty – drums (1984–present)[18]
- Sultan Raihan Khan – lead guitars (2008–present)[17]
- Talukdar Sabbir – bass guitar (2011–present)
Past members
- Ayub Bachchu – lead guitars (1977–1980)[19]
- Saidul Hasan Swapan – bass guitar (1987–1990)[20]
- Saidus Salehin Khaled Sumon – vocals, bass guitar (1990)
- Pantha Kanai – drums (1999–2000)[21]
- Khayem Ahmed – keyboards [22]
- Kumar Bishwajit – lead vocals (1977–1980)[2]
- Shimul Azhar – bass guitar (2021-2023)
- Azizur Rahman Tinku
- Md Imtiaz Ali Zimi
- Khokhon Chakrabarty – keyboard
Discography
edit- "স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987) (Originally known as Feelings)
- "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
- "নগর বাউল (Urban Baul)" (1996)
- "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Ribbon Lace)" (1998)
- "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001)
References
edit- ^ "Popular bands rock DU". New Age. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b "Kumar Bishwajit still outstanding on stage since 1977". The New Nation. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "James to release new song after a decade". The Business Standard. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ "Ayub Bachchu remembered". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "'Nagar Baul' James showered with love and blessings on 56th birthday". UNB. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Banglalink Desh Music Fest 2007". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Nagar baul, Aurthohin, and Artcell to perform together". The Daily Star. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "An Ode to the Guru of Rock". The Daily Star. 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b c "Ayub Bachchu's 60th birth anniversary today". UNB. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "James Music is his passion". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Kamol, Ershad (2007-09-21). ""I'll be more regular in releasing albums in Bangladesh" ...James". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Akbar, Zahid (2021-10-02). "There is only one James, today is his birthday". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "90'z Rocking the decade". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Raisa, Antara (2022-12-03). "BAMBA-Channel i Band Music Fest 2022 rocks Army Stadium". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Tributes to James: A defining character in music arena of Bangladesh". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Winter concerts return, so does James". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b "James performs in Gazipur concert today". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Tipu: A rock titan still going strong". Dhaka Tribune. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "We all miss and love you very much: Ayub Bachchu's son on his 4th death anniversary". The Daily Star. UNB. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Swapan the only remaining LRB original member". bangladeshpost.net. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Pantha Kanai in playback". Dhaka Tribune. 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "James to rock fans in Australia". Dhaka Tribune. 2017-10-09. Retrieved 2023-02-10.