Bhattacharya, Bipul

Bhattacharya, Bipul (1953–2013) vocalist of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, producer, composer and music director of Bangladesh Betar and a celebrated folk music artist of Bangladesh Television. He was born on Monday, 25 July 1953 in Sholakia town of Kishoreganj district. His father’s name is Nagesh Bhattacharya and mother’s name is Hemprabha Devi. He is the youngest among five brothers and two sisters. He was a student of Ramanand High School now Kishoreganj Government Boys’ School. Bipul Bhattacharya passed Matriculation from Govindpur High School in 1969 and Higher Secondary from Kishoreganj Gurudayal Government College. He studied in BA in the same college. He was involved with scouts from his school life.

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Bipul Bhattacharya

His love for music was born through grandmother’s Ghum Parani songs from his childhood. Later, with his mother’s encouragement and dedicated efforts, he started practicing music. He studied music under Ustad Amar Chandra Sheel, Ustad Ashini Kumar Roy, Sukhendu Chakraborty and Nitya Roy. He became the champion twice in greater Mymensingh district in district-based music competition in the then East-Pakistan. In 1967, in East Pakistan Music competition, he won first position and gold medal in Nazrul songs and also won the first position in 1969 East Pakistan palligiti competition.

Bipul Bhattacharya joined swadhin bangla betar kendra during the Liberation War in 1971. The immense contribution of the music artists of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra had immense contribution in inspiring people in participate the Liberation War. The entire Bengali nation had been given infinite courage and enthusiasm. This Radio center has played a special role in bringing the Bengali people to the threshold of victory with continuous inspiration, strength, courage through various programs including music for nine months.

Bipul Bhattacharya as a member of ‘Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sanstha’ had given encouragement and motivation to the Freedom Fighters by performing music in trucks in the refugee camps, sometimes in the camps of the Freedom Fighters and also, in the open spaces. He instilled courage and hope in the hearts of thousands of destitute people. Later, Tarek Masood created ‘Muktir Gan’, the documentary in Liberation War from this activity of Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sanstha. Most of the chorus songs were led by Bipul Bhattacharya in the film Muktir Gan. The eleven songs featured in the film are mostly based on folk music. Some of his famous songs are Eina Bangladesher Gan Gaite Amar Dukkhe Poran Kande, Bolo bolo re bolo sabe bolo re Bangalir joy, Nao charia de pal uraiyya de, etc. After the victory in the Liberation War, he performed music for the first time on Bangladesh Betar on 21 February 1972. Later, he became a regular artist on Bangladesh Television and Radio and he performed music as a regular artist there. He visited many countries including Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Japan as a member of Bangladesh government’s cultural delegation. He earned his living by teaching music. Bipul Bhattacharya is the founder of Mallika Sangeet Samaroh Vidyatana.

The national folk singer died of lung cancer on 5 July 2013. His wife’s name is Kumkum Bhattacharya. They have one son and one daughter. [Shahnaz Nasrin Ila]