‘He was Bangladesh’s Dylan’ | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
‘He was Bangladesh’s Dylan’

Splash

Sohel Ahsan
05 June, 2023, 10:50 am
Last modified: 05 June, 2023, 11:35 am

Related News

  • PCB waives off 50% match fee fine imposed on Azam for displaying Palestine flag on bat
  • Azam Khan is truly one of a kind: Shermin Ahmed Minni
  • 'I am more inspired by Tim David': Azam Khan on his comparison with Suryakumar Yadav
  • Playing guitar helps Pakistan's Azam Khan de-stress before matches
  • 'How is body shaming funny?' - Twitter blasts Naseem Shah for 'mocking' Azam Khan after heated moment in BPL

‘He was Bangladesh’s Dylan’

Today marks Azam Khan’s 12th death anniversary

Sohel Ahsan
05 June, 2023, 10:50 am
Last modified: 05 June, 2023, 11:35 am
Legendary Bangladeshi musician Azam Khan. Photo: Collected
Legendary Bangladeshi musician Azam Khan. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh's King of Pop, the legendary Azam Khan passed away from cancer on this day 12 years ago in 2011. Born with the name Mahbubul Haque Khan, he was acclaimed as Bangladesh's first 'rockstar.'

Azam Khan was born on 28 February, 1950, in the Azimpur Government Colony in Dhaka. He passed his Intermediate from T&T College in 1970. Espousing progressive beliefs, Azam was vocal during the mass uprising of 1969. As an active member of the 'Kranti' musical group, he participated in mass music campaigns against the Pakistani rulers.

Then in 1971, Azam Khan directly participated in the Liberation War. He took part in multiple guerilla attacks as a section commander, around Comilla and Dhaka.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

After independence,  Azam Khan formed a band named 'Uchharan'. The band created a stir in the country's music scene. Azam Khan's songs served as inspiration for the youth, who were still recovering from the aftermath of the war. His lyrics and music offered the youth an escape from all that was going around them at the time.

In 1972, his two songs 'Eto Shundor Duniyake' and 'Chaar Kalema Shakkhi Debe' ​​were aired on BTV and received nationwide appreciation.  However, the song which created the biggest frenzy in the country, a song which is still popular today, was his famous 'Alal o Dulal'. The song was regularly aired on BTV at the time.

Azam Khan, because of his persona, had countless fans and touched the hearts of many. One such personality is Fawad Nasser Babu, who played the guitar in Azam Khan's band for two years. 

Speaking about Azam Khan's humility, he said, " Azam Khan is a burning example of how one could lead a life of simplicity whilst being a famous star. I played alongside him on stage when he was at the peak of his popularity. The moment he stepped off the stage, he used to switch into an utterly humble person. He was a soft-hearted man. Even though I was younger than him, he always treated me with courtesy and respect. His songs reflected his thoughts on the struggles of the underprivileged and the helpless. He was unique in this regard. I have seen very few musicians of Azam Khan's stature."

Ferdous Wahid, musician and friend of Azam Khan, also shared his thoughts on the 'Pop Guru'. "Azam Khan is a milestone in himself. He was extremely talented and I would say he was the Bob Dylan of Bangladesh. Not only was he an accomplished musician, but also a valiant freedom fighter. Lots of prayers for him."

Azam Khan will be remembered forever through his famous songs like ' O re Saleka, O re Maleka','Alaal o Dulaal', 'Obhimani', 'Anamika', and 'Papri Keno Bojhena' etc.

 

Top News

Azam Khan / Bangladeshi singer Azam khan

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia virtually addressing an event on 29 May 2025, marking the death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. Photo: Screengrab from BNP Media Cell video.
    Democracy still being obstructed at every step: Khaleda Zia
  • Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners’ Association President Md Abdur Razzaque speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025 in Dhaka on 29 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    Like leather, light engineering sector also needs industrial park: Industry leaders
  • CEC AMM Nasir Uddin. File photo: UNB
    Waiting for SC verdict copy for review before deciding on Ishraque's oath: CEC

MOST VIEWED

  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Md Nazrul Islam Swapan, chairman of EXIM Bank. Sketch: TBS
    Exim Bank restored depositors’ confidence, overcoming challenges
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • PCB waives off 50% match fee fine imposed on Azam for displaying Palestine flag on bat
  • Azam Khan is truly one of a kind: Shermin Ahmed Minni
  • 'I am more inspired by Tim David': Azam Khan on his comparison with Suryakumar Yadav
  • Playing guitar helps Pakistan's Azam Khan de-stress before matches
  • 'How is body shaming funny?' - Twitter blasts Naseem Shah for 'mocking' Azam Khan after heated moment in BPL

Features

For hundreds of small fishermen living near this delicate area, sustainable fishing is a necessity for their survival. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

World Ocean Day: Bangladesh’s ‘Silent Island’ provides a fisheries model for the future

1h | The Big Picture
The university will be OK. But will the US? Photo: Bloomberg

A weaker Harvard is a weaker America

1h | Panorama
The Botanical Garden is a refuge for plant species, both native and exotic. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

The hidden cost of 'development' in the Botanical Garden

1h | Panorama
Stillbirths in Bangladesh: A preventable public health emergency

Stillbirths in Bangladesh: A preventable public health emergency

2h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 29 MAY 2025

News of The Day, 29 MAY 2025

44m | TBS News of the day
Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

3h | TBS Insight
Love is essential for human life

Love is essential for human life

3h | TBS Programs
What Should Be the Interim Government’s Budget Priority?

What Should Be the Interim Government’s Budget Priority?

2h | TBS Economy
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net