Kabir Suman to bring out album on Bangla 'Khayal'

Popular singer Kabir Suman, credited with the introduction of a new genre in Bengali songs, has said he considers Ustad Amir Khan as his mentor and planned to bring out an album on Bangla 'Khayal'.

"My dream is to sing 'Alap' like Amir Khan, to master the 'Gayaki' of Nikhil Bandyopadhyay. I have always wished to bring out an album on classical vocals in Bengali. I hope to popularise Bangla 'Khayal' among the present day audience," the singer said at a press meet here last evening. He said he was doing the most important task in his life by introducing classical music among the Bengali audience in his own way so that one might understand and appreciate classical music's 'Taal' and 'Laya'. Suman also regretted that the habit of listening to old classics on AIR - light modern songs, vocals - among the youth was on the wane.

"The listening habit of youngsters and the art of appreciation, are not growing. Those who are growing up are missing the charm of listening to Pt Bhimsen Joshi on AIR programme," he regretted. "The audience which would listen to these types of music on Akashvani is declining. That era has gone," he said. Referring to cultural diversity of the country, he said a devout Muslim singer like Ustad Amir Khan used to worship goddess Saraswati during his 'Riyaj' after offering namaz five times a day and created 'Raga Ahir Bhairav.' Suman was addressing the press meet to announce his 70th birthday celebrations on March 16.

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