Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1128 Thu. August 02, 2007  
   
Culture


Tête-à-tête
Mukti-Rajkumer: An artiste duo on the rise


Artiste duo Sharif Alam Rajkumar and Monira Mukti Anupoma are making headway in the music industry. Though their musical career is still at an early stage, music enthusiasts are taking note of their endeavours.

At stage shows their duets as well as solo performances have received much acclaim. "The stage shows give us a chance to sing some of our best songs," says Mukti.

The duo reveals their sense of humour, thoughts on music, which comes through while discussing several aspects of live performances. "The moment we begin discussing a song, certain ideas are introduced and we become aware of each other's views. We are both passionate about live shows, and music in general. We both work obsessively on a song until it's finalised," says Rajkumar.

Mukti has been working as a playback singer for the last five years. She has rendered songs for over 50 films including Hajar Bochhor Dhorey, Dui Noyoner Alo, Golapi Ekhon London-e and others. She won the title "Best Playback Singer" in Film Awards '05 jointly organised by Concord and Keya Cosmetics for the song Tumi shutoye bedhechho shaplar phul from Hajar Bochhor Dhorey. Mukti is currently working on a solo album that is expected to hit the local market soon.

Both Mukti and Rajkumar took music lessons in Nazrul Sangeet at Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). They trained under Bedaruddin, Rafiqul Islam, Yakub Ali Khan, Mangal Chandra and Sujit Mustafa. While they still continue practicing Nazrul songs, they turned to adhunik gaan in 1996, a genre that is more lucrative. "Artistes with a strong base in classical and Nazrul songs, are capable of performing songs of diverse genres effortlessly," Rajkumar says. Both are enlisted in radio and television channels since 2000.

Mukti holds a high regard of working with music directors like Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Alauddin Ali, Emon Saha and Shawkot Ali Emon. "I have been fortunate to work with such talented music directors," she says.

To date Bhalobashar Baina is the only album by Rajkumar. Mukti has worked in four mixed albums and a solo album titled Jhinuker Moto.

Mukti and Rajkumar intend to entertain music lovers with their songs for decades. Rajkumar also plans to compose music in the coming days.

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Mukti and Rajkumar entertain music enthusiasts