Mahbub Parvez first solo Kobita album Kalottirno Sanglap

Young recitor Mahbub Parvez’s first solo album, “Kalottirno Sanglap,” was released recently. The album was released under the banner of Kissa Kahini, and features a repertoire of poems by renowned poets — from Rabindranath Tagore to Syed Shamsul Huq.

Recently Parvez talked about the album and his journey into the world of recitation.

The album includes well-known poems by celebrated poets from both side of the border. Poems featured in the album include Tagore’s “Prithibi” and “Africa,” Kazi Nazrul Islam’s “Aguner Phulki Chhutey,” “Shey” and “Tomakey Bhalobeshey” by Jibanananda Das, Syed Shamsul Huq’s “Nuruldin-er Sharajibon” and Al Mahmud’s “Pratyabarton-er Lajja.”

The title of the album derives from the essence of the poems featured in the album, according to Parvez. “Each poem in the album is well known and most of them have powerful messages,” he said.

Parvez informed that he has been passionate about recitation from an early age. But he had to take hiatus from the recitation scene for a few years, as he had to focus on his academic pursuits. At present Parvez is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Business Administration, Daffodil International University.

Parvez’s interest in continuing as a recitor had a major impact when he got involved with the cultural organisation ‘Swarit,’ nearly a decade ago. He also worked for several years with the reputed organisation Bishwa Shahitya Kendra — first as an apprentice reader, and later as a volunteer.

“Those magnificent times provided my foundation as a recitor and an individual,” said Parvez. At Bishwa Shahitya Kendra, he came close to Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, who helped him recognise the aesthetics within. Parvez is also thankful to veteran recitor Kamrul Hasan Manju and his organisation ‘Swarit,’ though it is no longer functional.

Parvez has also been an avid theatre activist. He completed a workshop from the school run by the renowned troupe Theatre and worked for a couple of years as an activist under the Department of Production, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

At present Parvez is deeply involved with stage performance. He is also working on his second album, which is likely to be released around the next ‘Pahela Baishakh.’