Nagar Baul Explained

Nagar Baul
Native Name:	নগর বাউল
Landscape:	yes
Background:	group_or_band
Alias:	Feelings (1977–1999)
Origin:	Chittagong, Bangladesh
Years Active:	1999–present
Current Members:	Faruq Mahfuz Anam James Sultan Raihan Khan Ahsan Elahi Fanty Talukdar Sabbir
Past Members:	Ayub Bachchu Saidul Hasan Swapan Pantha Kanai Md. Imtiaz Ali Zimi Khayem Ahmed Azizur Rahman Tinku Kumar Bishwajit Saidus Salehin Khaled Sumon Khokhon Chakrabarty

Nagar Baul (English: Urban Baul)^[1] is a Bangladeshi rock band that was founded in Chittagong in 1977 by Kumar Bishwajit.^{[2] [3] [4]} The band is considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and blues music in the country ^[5] in Bangladesh.^{[6] [7]} The frontman of the band, James, is referred to as the Guru of Rock as a mark of respect.^[8]

History

Nagar Baul started in 1977 and was originally named Feelings and was formed by Kumar Bishwajit.^[9] Band members included Ayub Bachchu and James. Ayub Bachchu left the band in 1980.

They released their first album, Station Road.^[10] James, lead vocal and guitarist,^[11] composed all the tracks, and wrote the lyrics for five of them. Though the album was not a hit, the tracks Ager Jonome, Amai Jete Dao and Rupshagor enjoyed moderate success.

In 1993, they released their second album Jail Theke Bolchhi. This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.^[12]

In 1996, they released their third album Nagar Baul. The Daily Star wrote, "Nagar Baul introduced Bangladesh to a whole new way of singing".^[13] It had the "classic" and "iconic" song, "Taray Taray Rotiye Debo", based on the poem 'Uttor' by great poet Shamsur Rahman.^[14]

In 1998, they released their fourth album Lais Fita Lais.^[15]

In 1999, the band was renamed from Feelings to Nagar Baul.

In 2001, their fifth album was released Dushtur Cheler Dol.^[16] This was their first album release under the new band name Nagar Baul, named after their album from 1996.

Members

Present members

• Faruq Mahfuz Anam James — vocals, lead guitars ^[17]
• Ahsan Elahi Fanty – drums ^[18]
• Sultan Raihan Khan – lead guitars
• Talukdar Sabbir – bass guitar

Past members

• Ayub Bachchu – lead guitars ^[19]
• Saidul Hasan Swapan – bass guitar ^[20]
• Saidus Salehin Khaled Sumon – vocals, bass guitar
• Pantha Kanai – drums ^[21]
• Khayem Ahmed – keyboards ^[22]
• Kumar Bishwajit – lead vocals
• Shimul Azhar – bass guitar
• Azizur Rahman Tinku
• Md Imtiaz Ali Zimi
• Khokhon Chakrabarty – keyboard

Discography

• "স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987) (Originally known as Feelings)
• "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
• "নগর বাউল (Urban Baul)" (1996)
• "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Ribbon Lace)" (1998)
• "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001)

Notes and References

1. News: Popular bands rock DU . 2023-02-10 . New Age . en.
2. News: Nation . The New . Kumar Bishwajit still outstanding on stage since 1977 . 2023-02-10 . The New Nation . en.
3. News: James to release new song after a decade . 31 December 2022 . The Business Standard . 28 April 2022.
4. News: Ayub Bachchu remembered . 2023-02-10 . Daily Sun . en.
5. News: 'Nagar Baul' James showered with love and blessings on 56th birthday . 2023-02-10 . UNB.
6. News: Banglalink Desh Music Fest 2007 . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star.
7. News: 2022-08-29 . Nagar baul, Aurthohin, and Artcell to perform together . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
8. News: 2017-12-23 . An Ode to the Guru of Rock . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
9. News: Ayub Bachchu's 60th birth anniversary today . 2023-02-10 . UNB.
10. News: James Music is his passion . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star.
11. News: Kamol . Ershad . 2007-09-21 . "I'll be more regular in releasing albums in Bangladesh" ...James . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
12. News: Akbar . Zahid . 2021-10-02 . There is only one James, today is his birthday . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
13. News: 90'z Rocking the decade . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star.
14. News: Raisa . Antara . 2022-12-03 . BAMBA-Channel i Band Music Fest 2022 rocks Army Stadium . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
15. News: Tributes to James: A defining character in music arena of Bangladesh . 2023-02-10 . The Financial Express . en.
16. News: Winter concerts return, so does James . 2023-02-10 . The Financial Express . en.
17. News: James performs in Gazipur concert today . 2023-02-10 . Daily Sun . en.
18. News: 2020-10-15 . Tipu: A rock titan still going strong . 2023-02-10 . Dhaka Tribune.
19. News: UNB . 2022-10-18 . We all miss and love you very much: Ayub Bachchu's son on his 4th death anniversary . 2023-02-10 . The Daily Star . en.
20. Web site: Swapan the only remaining LRB original member . 2023-02-10 . bangladeshpost.net . en.
21. News: 2014-10-19 . Pantha Kanai in playback . 2023-02-10 . Dhaka Tribune.
22. News: 2017-10-09 . James to rock fans in Australia . 2023-02-10 . Dhaka Tribune.