Legendary Bangladeshi singer Ferdousi Rahman has unveiled her autobiography, Loke Bole Prem Ami Boli Jwala (People Call It Love, I Call It Pain), offering readers a deeply personal account of her musical journey and the cultural memories that shaped her life.
The book was launched on Tuesday at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The event was attended by veteran singer Syed Abdul Hadi, singer Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa and several prominent figures from the country’s music and cultural arena.
Rahman said she chose the title from the lyrics of her popular song Loke Bole Prem. Explaining the title, she said that music has always been her true love, while the relentless dedication, sacrifice and hard work required to sustain that love represent the “pain” referred to in the title.
Speaking at the event, the veteran artiste said she did not believe she had accomplished anything extraordinary herself. Instead, she said the book captures the lives of many people and recounts numerous experiences. Readers will also discover stories about Old Dhaka, its disappearing traditions, food culture and way of life.
Reflecting on their decades-long association, Syed Abdul Hadi recalled first meeting Rahman after they enrolled at the University of Dhaka in 1958. Their bond grew stronger in 1965 when they first performed together for the film Dak Babu. He said that, as the daughter of Palli Geeti legend Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Rahman had the rare opportunity to learn from some of the subcontinent’s finest musicians from an early age, enriching her artistic journey.
Singer Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa described Rahman as the “Himalayas” of Bangla music, praising her remarkable command of modern songs, Nazrul Sangeet, classical music and folk songs.
The programme opened with singer Anupama Mukti performing two of Rahman’s popular songs, Loke Bole Prem and Ami Sagorer Nil Noyone Mekhechi.
Born on 28 June 1941 in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India, Ferdousi Rahman received her first lessons in music from her father, Abbas Uddin Ahmed. At the age of six, she made her singing debut on the then Radio Pakistan in 1947. Following the Partition, she moved to Dhaka with her family.
Rahman began her career as a playback singer with the film Asiya in 1960. During the 1960s and 1970s, she lent her voice to nearly 250 films. She also performed on the inaugural broadcast of Bangladesh Television in 1964 and later introduced Bangla music to audiences across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and Canada, among many other countries.
She became widely admired by younger audiences through Bangladesh Television’s popular programme Esho Gan Shikhi. In 1977, she won the National Film Award for Best Music Director. Over the years, she has also received the Independence Award, the Ekushey Padak, the Nasiruddin Gold Medal, the Bangladesh Film Journalists’ Association Award, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award and the Churulia Nazrul Gold Medal, among many other honours.
Through Loke Bole Prem Ami Boli Jwala, Rahman reflects not only on her long musical career but also preserves the memories of old Dhaka, its people, culture and a bygone way of life for future generations.
