Nazrul Represents All Genres of Music

Ferdous Ara has described the music of Nazrul as a complete and diverse tradition, reflecting the wide artistic range found in the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Daily life and personal discipline

At the beginning of the Bengali month of Boishakh, amid rising seasonal heat, Ferdous Ara spoke about her current lifestyle and how she manages her time. She explained that she has organised her daily routine in a way that allows her to maintain a calm and private environment, where she can focus on music and meditation.

She noted that this structure helps her balance professional responsibilities while preserving time for creative practice and reflection. She added that she prefers to remain focused on her inner discipline rather than being affected by external changes or events.

She stated:

“I am well. I have divided my time according to my own preference. This allows me to spend quiet and private time with myself and to practise music and meditation. Amid various professional responsibilities, this is my time to breathe. I try to maintain it properly, and I am not particularly concerned with external matters such as what comes or goes.”

Awards and artistic outlook

In the previous year, Ferdous Ara received Bangladesh’s second-highest civilian honour, the Ekushey Padak. She has also been awarded a lifetime achievement honour at the Channel i Music Awards. Despite these recognitions, she emphasised that formal awards are not her main motivation.

She stated that she is not engaged in competition and continues to focus on her work with dedication. According to her, while institutional honours are meaningful, the appreciation of audiences remains more significant.

She said:

“I am not involved in any kind of competition. I continue to focus on my work with dedication. If I speak of material recognition, I have received the Ekushey Padak, but beyond all of this, love is what matters most to me. Human affection is above everything else. Whenever programmes on Nazrul music are held in different parts of the country, I am often placed in a central role. Such respect cannot be compared with material awards.”

Sur Saptak and annual cultural programme

Ferdous Ara has been running her music institution, “Sur Saptak,” for 26 years. The institution has trained many students in music and regularly organises cultural events, particularly during the Bengali New Year season.

This year, Sur Saptak will organise its annual programme titled “Bidai Borshoboron” on 2 May at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The programme will mark the farewell of the Bengali year 1432 and the welcoming of 1433, alongside observances linked to Chaitra Sankranti, Bengali New Year celebrations, and Nazrul Jayanti.

The event will feature performances by students of the institution as well as artists from different generations. Senior cultural figures and government representatives are also expected to attend.

Ferdous Ara remarked that Nazrul music represents a wide spectrum of musical forms, which is reflected in the diversity of performances included in the programme.

Teaching and continued engagement

Despite her long career, she remains actively involved in teaching music, particularly to children at Sur Saptak. She continues to participate in classes, guiding students and correcting their performances as part of her teaching practice.

Several experienced musicians are associated with the institution. Among them is Anil Kumar Saha, who teaches classical music and is recognised as a gold medallist in India. Towhidul Islam, associated with the Nazrul Institute, also teaches at the institution. In addition, Chhanda Chakraborty conducts classes for students.

Ferdous Ara stated that working with children remains a deeply rewarding part of her life, and that their progress continues to be the main source of satisfaction in her long-standing involvement in music education.