Voice that Shoots through the Heart

Just how popular is Farida Parveen?

Consider that her shows in Paris were sold out, to non Bangladeshi audiences. Someone from Belgium actually saw my online profile and wrote to me saying that they enjoyed her performance.

Consider that she has an album out in Japan based on her live concert there. She is mentioned as the top Lalon exponent, spreading the messages of his philosophy to people all over the world.

There's a great Daily Star Weekend Cover Story that elaborates on her life and early influences.

Not everyone is a fan perhaps. Lalon purists often point to her for commercializing the songs, and taking away the spirituality and mystique surrounding his teachings. Her husband left her because he wanted to spend more time with religion..

What is not in debate is her voice. She can make a stone cry.

When I was working for the TV station, I found out that me, my boss and my colleagues are big fans of her - We all owned her definitive Bengal Foundation CD. Friday mornings, our hallways would reverberate with her voice. But no one ever thought that she'd perform for our commercially tinted programs, so no one ever approached her.

For one Eid, I put together my wish list and asked one of the producers whether we could have her for a variety show. I got my wish. I found out when she'd be performing, and showed up at Mahanagar Nattyamancha in Gulistan to watch her perform. As soon as I got in, I found out that because of technical problems, she's been waiting for four hours, and was about to leave. I walked into the dressing room, basically begged her to stay, told her how honored we were to have her, and that we wouldn't do the show without her. She stayed for another hour, and at 10pm, she performed her signature song, "Milon Hobey Koto Diney" for us. We just needed one take to record it. Time stopped. My heart stopped. I finally got my wish to watch my nightingale perform.

I wish the story stopped there. I ran into her five weeks later, and went up to her to thank her for performing for our network. She graciously accepted the compliment, and mentioned as a matter of fact that the producer didn't pay her for that performance.

I just wanted the earth to break open and swallow me instantly so that I could hide my humiliation.