In the history of Bangla music, the name that comes first among legendary pop icons is Faruq Mahfuz Anam James. Known as “Guru,” “Nagar Baul,” or the long-haired guitar man — by whatever name he is called, the frenzy of his fans never fades.
Today (Thursday) marks the birthday of this pop legend. Born on October 2, 1964, in Naogaon, James grew up in Chattogram. He turns 61 this year.
James rose to fame in 1990s as the front man of feelings, now renamed Nagar Baul. He is considered to be the pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh.
He has also lent voice to a few songs in Bollywood movies. Many lyricists have written songs for James, including Poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi.
Musicians like Lucky Akhand and Manam Ahmed have also composed songs for him.
His first solo album was Anonya, released in 1988, followed by Palabe Kothai in 1995, Dukhini Dukkho Korona in 1997, Thik Achhe Bondhu in 1999, Aami Tomader-I Lok in 2003, Janata Express in 2005, Toofan in 2006 and Kal Jomuna in 2009.
James has been one of the most popular artistes, both as a solo musician and with his band in Bangladesh and in West Bengal in India since the 1990s.
In 2005, James did the playback for the Bollywood movie Gangster. The title of the song was Bheegi Bheegi and it was a blockbuster hit.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
