Ustad Shahabuddin Khan - a self made flutist
|
Ustad Shahabuddin Khan creates a mesmerising environment with his flute. Today he is a renowned flutist not just in Mymensingh region but also in the country.
Shahabuddin has had a passion for the flute for over 40 years. Born in the village Swalpa Chapila in Gafargoan upazila here in 1955, the son of late Tamizuddin Khan and Shamsun Nahar, Shahabuddin was attracted to the instrument from his very childhood. When he was a primary school student, he came across a local artiste Amir Ali, who was proficient in flute and ghatu gaan.
Determined to master the flute, he set out in search of flute gurus in Mymensingh district. An opportunity came his way when he enrolled at Govt. Ananda Mohan College after passing the SSC in 1972.
It took Shahabuddin quite a while to come across an ustad who would train him the classical notes on flute. As he says, “I was disheartened but later I decided to learn other musical instruments and started taking taalim (lessons) under the guidance of Ustad Badal Chandra Chanda and Badrul Huda on violin, sitar and esraj, and my learning continued for 10 years.
“I heard the programmes on classical music broadcast from Kolkata and Guwahati radio stations (India) and was gradually immersed in the classical style. As my practice on different musical instruments went on, I later added those notes on my flute.”
His passion for classical music has brought the self-made Shahabuddin to his present position in the world of music. Now Khan has acquired mastery in different ragas.
Shahabuddin favours many ragas: Emon, Bhairavi, Khamaj, Bhupali, Bhimpalashree, Hindol, Malkosh, Chandrakosh, Dhanesree, Sud Kalyan, Desh Malahor, Hansha Dhwani etc.
Shahabuddin, a musician of Kirana Gharana, now teaches the flute at Bangladesh Agricultural University Sangeet Bidyalaya, Nazrul Shena, Alokmoy Naha Sangeet Bidyalaya and Mymensingh Sangeet Bidyalaya. Many of his students are now performing at the national level.
Shahabuddin is also the director and music composer of many dance dramas based on the folklore of this region, including “Mahua”, “Malua” and “Chandrabati”. Since 1978, he has judged flute competitions arranged by Bangladesh Radio and BTV.
Principal of Mymensingh Sangeet Bidyalaya, Shahabuddin, is also a researcher of Mymensingh-region based folklore that enriched Bengali literature and culture manifold.
On the present status of classical music including learning the flute, a disheartened Shahabuddin Khan told The Daily Star that the present scenario is dismal. Learning of classical music, he went on to add, requires time and patience. Learning the flute, he said is more difficult than other musical instruments as it needs powerful lungs.
Learning of classical music, he asserted, does not only depend on institutions; it is a type of learning where a student has to be attached with masters for years together.
“Research institutions for folklore and traditional music should be established throughout the country to draw the attention of the younger people towards classical music,” said Shahabuddin, adding that the government’s role should be pivotal on this front.
Aminul Islam
More Related:
I was a student of Ustad Shahabuddin during my University life at BAU, mymensingh. Now I am in South Korea studing for doctoral degree.
I want to express my gratitude and respect to Ustad Shahabuddin.
Best wish for him.
Kind regard
Bibek
South Korea.