Legendary singer Abdul Jabbar’s 9th death anniversary

Today marks the ninth death anniversary of legendary singer Abdul Jabbar, whose iconic songs include “Salam Salam Hazar Salam” and “Joy Bangla Banglar Joy.” The veteran singer and voice warrior of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra breathed his last while undergoing treatment on this day in 2017.

Many of the songs sung by Abdul Jabbar remain deeply embedded in the hearts of Bengalis. In particular, his patriotic songs during the Liberation War inspired freedom fighters and boosted their morale.

Abdul Jabbar was born on February 10, 1938, in Kushtia. He developed a deep passion for music from an early age and later received training from Ustad Osman Gani and Ustad Lutful Haque. He began his musical career in 1958 as an enlisted artist with what was then Pakistan Radio. In 1962, he sang for a film for the first time. From 1964, he became a regular artist of Bangladesh Television.

The most significant chapter of Abdul Jabbar’s musical career, however, unfolded during the 1971 Liberation War. Many of his songs broadcast from the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra inspired freedom fighters and gave them courage. Many people were also inspired by his songs to join the Liberation War.

Abdul Jabbar did more than just sing during the Liberation War. Alongside renowned singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, he worked in various parts of India to build public support for Bangladesh’s independence. He travelled to different camps of Bangladeshi freedom fighters in Kolkata and performed patriotic songs while playing the harmonium. He donated 1.2 million Indian rupees earned through singing to the relief fund of the government of independent Bangladesh. His contribution to the Liberation War is therefore remembered not only as that of an artist but also as an active voice warrior.

Another major testament to Abdul Jabbar’s popularity came in 2006. In March that year, three of his songs-“Tumi Ki Dekhecho Kovu Jiboner Porajoy,” “Salam Salam Hazar Salam,” and “Joy Bangla Banglar Joy”-were included in the list of the 20 greatest Bangla songs of all time, selected through votes by BBC Bangla listeners.

In the final years of his life, the singer suffered from various health complications. In July 2017, he was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (now Bangladesh Medical University) with kidney, heart and prostate problems, among other complications. As his condition deteriorated, he was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) on August 1. He died there while undergoing treatment on August 30, 2017.

Abdul Jabbar received numerous honours in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music. He was awarded the Bangabandhu Gold Medal in 1973, the Ekushey Padak in 1980 and the Independence Award in 1996. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zahir Raihan Film Award in 2011.

-MT