Two of the greatest names in Bengali music, Kamal Dasgupta and Firoza Begum, shared more than a lifetime together—they also shared the same birthday.
Kamal Dasgupta was born on 28 July 1911 in Jessore, while Firoza Begum was born on 28 July 1930 in Faridpur.
They later became life partners and left an extraordinary legacy in Bengali music.
Their son, Hamin Ahmed, a member of the band Miles, paid tribute to his parents on Facebook on their birth anniversaries.
“Today, 28 July, is the birth anniversary of both my parents. These two remarkable people, born on the same day, enriched the treasure of Bengali music through their extraordinary contributions. Remembering them with respect, love and heartfelt prayers. Happy birthday wherever you are,” he wrote.
Kamal Dasgupta was one of the subcontinent’s most celebrated composers and music directors.
Closely associated with Kazi Nazrul Islam, he composed music for countless Nazrul songs and played a defining role in the golden era of modern Bengali music.
According to family sources, he joined HMV (His Master’s Voice) as a composer and music director in 1935 and also worked with Columbia Records.
He famously recorded 53 songs in a single month at HMV and averaged around 45 compositions every month during his prolific career.
In 1943, he composed music for Juthika Roy’s Meera bhajans, which became immensely popular.
The success earned Roy the title “Meerabai” from Mahatma Gandhi, while Kamal Dasgupta received an honorary doctorate from Banaras Hindu University.
Firoza Begum became one of the most iconic exponents of Nazrul Sangeet.
According to Hamin Ahmed, his mother first met Kazi Nazrul Islam during an HMV rehearsal in Kolkata when she was only 11 or 12 years old.
She auditioned with Nazrul’s song Jodi Porane Na Jage Akul Piyasa.
Impressed by her performance, Nazrul reportedly called Kamal Dasgupta and said, “Look how beautifully this little girl sings.”
Recalling the story his mother shared with him, Hamin said Kamal Dasgupta also praised her singing before walking away with a smile.
Firoza Begum began performing on All India Radio while she was in sixth grade.
In 1942, HMV released her first record, Morur Buke Jibondhara Ke Bohal, under the supervision of Chitta Roy, when she was just 12.
She later earned widespread acclaim with songs such as Momer Putul and Dur Dipobashini.
Throughout her career, she performed more than 380 solo concerts worldwide and received numerous honours, including the Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, Meril-Prothom Alo Lifetime Achievement Award, Netaji Subhas Chandra Award, Satyajit Ray Award, and the Nazrul Academy Medal.
Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum married in 1956 and had three children—Tahsin, Hamin Ahmed, and the late Shafin Ahmed.
Hamin and Shafin later became the driving forces behind Miles, one of Bangladesh’s most influential rock bands.
United by music, love and an extraordinary artistic journey, Kamal Das Gupta and Firoza Begum remain two of the most enduring figures in Bengali music.
Their timeless contributions continue to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike.
