Azam Khan’s 70th birth anniversary today

The 70th birth anniversary of late freedom fighter- pop music pioneer Azam Khan will be observed today.

Born on February 28, 1950 in Dhaka, Mahbubul Haque Khan, popularly known as Azam Khan (1950-2011), is often referred as the Pop Guru (mentor of pop music).

Azam Khan joined the liberation war under sector-2 and took part in various guerilla operations in Dhaka.

The most significant operation led by him was ‘Operation Titas’. After the war, Azam Khan and his friends formed a pop music band called ‘Uchcharan’. He was the vocalist of the band.

His first stage performance was held at Notre Dame College in 1972. He also performed on BTV in the same year.

Azam Khan became extremely popular all over the country for his unique singing style by mid-1970s.

Some of his songs including Ore saleka ore maleka, Jibone kichhu pabona re, Ami jare chaire, Ashi ashi bole tumi, Obhimani, Rail line-er bostite, Hei Allah hei Allah re and Alal O Dulal are still very popular among music lovers.

Besides, he rendered playbacks for many films and also acted in ‘Hiramon’ (1986) and ‘Godfather’ (2003).

Azam Khan was honoured with the Best Pop Singer Award (1993), Television Audience Award (2002), Life Time Achievement Award with Coca-Cola Gold Bottle, Award of Council of Urban Guerilla, Dhaka 71 and Freedom Fighter Award.

He died on June 5, 2011 at the Dhaka CMH hospital aged 61. He was suffering from lung cancer. (Source: New Age)