Bengali Classical Music: Tribute to Azad Rahaman

This site is a tribute to the enduring memory of the late Maestro Azad Rahaman, the preeminent musical personality for an entire generation of Bengalis. Azad Rahaman was a celebrated music composer and director, lyricist, vocalist, and mentor, revered by numerous cultural connoisseurs and musical followers both at home and abroad. In the Bengali cultural arena, Azad Rahaman consistently endeavored to give music an institutional form throughout his lifetime. This dedication was evident in the various media with which he was associated—radio, television, and films—as well as in the administrative roles he held in both government and non-governmental organizations. Azad Rahaman was not only an accomplished classical musician and pianist but also a pioneer in popularizing Hindustani Classical Music in the Bangla language, known as ‘Bangla Kheyal.’ By upholding the traits of classical music, such as the accuracy and distinctiveness of raagas, the depth of music, clarity in pronouncing lyrics, and the style of singing classical music, he reaffirmed the originality of Dhrupod, Dhamar, and Kheyal in Bangla. This invaluable contribution played a crucial role in preserving the essence of Bengali culture and promoting classical music across generations, particularly within the realm of Bangladeshi Cinema.

A Tribute to Music Maestro Azad Rahaman