Rahman, Azizur

Rahman, Azizur (1917-1978) composer of songs and poet, was born in a zamindar family on 18 January 1917 in the village of Haripur in Kushtia district. He lost his father while young and dropped out of school.

While still a student, Azizur Rahman began composing songs. He became associated with the jatra, composing many songs for the stage. He also formed a jatra party and acted in them himself.

In 1954, Azizur Rahman joined the Dhaka Radio Station as a staff artiste. In 1960 he joined as editor of Juvenile monthly Alapani and from 1964 to 1970 he was the literary-editor of daily Paygam. He composed a large number of songs for the radio, specially Patriotic and Islamic songs. His song, 'Palash dhaka kokil daka amar ei desh bhaire' (O brother, my palash (a kind of red flower)- covered country where cuckoos call) beautifully portrays the pastoral environment of Bangladesh. The folk singer, abbasuddin ahmed, also sang his songs, one of his most popular being 'Karo mane dio na byatha' (Don't distress any one). Azizur Rahman composed more than two thousand of songs.

From 1938 Azizur Rahman started to contribute regularly to various journals such as the saogat, mohammadi, Asad, Nabashakti, Ananda Bazar, Bharatbarsa, Bulbul, and Shanibarer Chithi. For a few years he edited the Alapani, a children's monthly, and the literary pages of the Dainik Paigam. Among his books for children are Dainosaurer Rajya (1962), Jibjantur Katha (1962), Chhutir Dine (1963), and Ei Mati Ei Desh (1970). In recognition of his musical and literary contributions he was awarded the Ekushey Padak (1979) by the Bangladesh government. He died on 12 September 1978 in Dhaka. [Mobarak Hossain Khan]