Sanjeeb Chowdhury (1962 – 2007) - A tribute

Sanjeeb Chowdhury

(1962 – 2007)

Singer, songwriter, journalist, founder of Dalchhut – Sanjeeb was so many things to so many people but, above all, he was an animated and emotional human being, writes Faizul Khan Tanim
photo by Moin Uddin/Drik

SanjeebChowdhury’s untimely death at the age of 45 has moved people and music enthusiasts across the country. His deep voice, urgent lyrics and soulful music has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many and the country’s music scene is paying large tributes to this prodigy.
Hailing from Habiganj, Sanjeeb began his career as a journalist in the 1980’s. In the mid-1990’s, he along with renowned musician Bappa Mazumder started the band ‘Dalchhut’, which raised him to the heights of fame. ‘gari cholena, cholena’, ‘bioscope’ and ‘amake ondho kore diyechilo chand’ are some of his timeless songs during his time with the band.
Bappa Mazumder turned very emotional while reminiscing about the man who many people affectionately refer to as Sanjeeb Da. To Bappa, he was ‘Dada’ and a very precious friend.
‘Dada was first rushed to a hospital in Mirpur reporting breathing problems on Friday, November 16. He was later taken to Apollo Hospital. At 12:00 am on November 19, all of us band members were standing outside the hospital, we were reminiscing about our times with Sanjeeb Da. We asked his family members to go home and get rest and so they took off’.
‘Almost immediately a few doctors came out and asked for any of Sanjeeb Chowdhury’s relatives. I felt a sudden blow- news which might change my life forever. The doctors would not let us inside until his family members arrived so we all rushed in anxiously the moment they reached. The air was filled with pain as the doctors announced him dead’.
‘Our last gig with him was in Banani on November 8 and right after the concert we started for Sathkhira and traveled to the Sundarbans. We trekked a lot and Dada enjoyed every moment of it. He picked up leaves called Keora pata, which we heard is traditionally eaten by deers in the forest. He described the experience of chewing that leaf eloquently describing the three types of tastes – bitter at first, followed by sour like tamarind and finally a sweet taste. We were left no other options but to be amazed and try to experience those three things ourselves,’ says Bappa.
Even during his last few days, he remained ebullient and often cracked sarcastic jokes. ‘While some of us were discussing palm reading to guess what fate our future held, he asked us not to believe in such things and joked: Guys, please don’t ever ask me any questions relating to birth, death and marriage,’, Bappa added with a grin.
‘I first met him on the stairs of Aziz Super Market in 1993 while singing. Noted singer Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel actually introduced me to him. We shared similar music tastes and gradually grew fond of each other which led us to form Dalchhut in 1996. Dada was a poet, a songwriter and not only did he sing beautifully but he was very passionate as well, although he never wanted to record any song. He always wrote songs describing events that actually took place in his life – such was Dada. In Dalchhut, he always gave me the duty to compose the music as if that was not his department but then he did share ideas from time to time and the songs Yasmin and Nishidhho from the first album were his great works’, recollected Bappa.
Bappa ended by saying that Sanjeeb was heavily influenced by Pink Floyd, Al Stewart, Bob Dylan and listened to a wide range of music including Moroccan and Spanish tunes. During university years, he would hang a harmonium on his shoulder and sing on the streets. He was a charismatic individual, full of life- a man who was totally bohemian and a free spirited, genuinely wild-at-heart character in the most positive way. Sanjeeb also remained true to his left ideals he acquired during his university years as a student activist till the end of his life.
Sumon, a band member of Aurthohin remembers Sanjeeb as a witty person, fun loving, someone who loved sarcastic jokes and happy and crazy human being. ‘I played with Dalchhut from 2000 to 2002 and I would see that he was always busy with journalism and a lot of other activities. He would often come late to band rehearsals before concerts but he always somehow managed to perform brilliantly at the shows. That was his charm’.
Sumon further added that Sanjeeb was such a devoted musician that he often sang eyes shut, as though he was entering the song, experiencing it all over again and expressing it by singing. ‘It was a state where he completely submerged in the song’.
During his more than two decade long career as a journalist, Sanjeeb worked at AJker Kagoj, Bhorer Kagoj, Jaijaidin as well as many other daily and weekly publications.
For journalist Nobonita Chowdhury of the BBC Bangla Service, Sanjeeb Chowdhury was not only her mentor but also as her uncle, Kaku. According to her, he was one of the few who inspired her immensely. ‘Sanjeebda used to say, if you can start a story well, you can finish it well – writing a good intro is the hardest part. I was 16 or 17 in 1996/97 while working at Bhorer Kagoj under his supervision and never forgot his tip’.
Nobonita continued,’ when I first went to Bhorer Kagoj, becoming a journalist by profession was the last thing on my mind. But his impact was so great that I ended up making journalism my career. After a few months, Sanjeebda realised we were relatives and he was adamant that I should call him Kaku. I was initially a bit embarrassed to start calling him Kaku in front of everybody else calling him dada. But he was very stubborn about it and he used to scream if I ever tried calling him dada after that. This very young Kaku of mine always used to call me Maa and Amma after that’.
‘Most of us say the same thing: Sanjeebda shaped our lives and we never took the opportunity to thank him. He never wanted any recognition from anyone he mentored. According to him - whoever you are wherever you are- if you once belonged to Sanjeebda’s group, you will remain in his heart forever and he will always greet you with a warm smile and hug’.
‘Kaku was never a so-called great man (mohamanob). He had shortcomings, maybe even more than the average person. But he had a larger heart than most people and that is precisely what made him so special. He was not a fan of set rules and never wanted to conform to society. He never came to the office on time and he never went home at the right time. Leaving us at only age 45, he again proved that he was not there to do things the usual way. We all loved him for his unique ways.’
Before passing away, Sanjeeb donated his body to the anatomy department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Bappa states, ‘we will continue Dalchhut for the love of Dada as his shadow will be forever playing with us’.
Someone once said, ‘Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is the talent which dies with the soul’. Sanjeeb Chowdhury’s death is indeed a great loss to our music industry for years to come.

So many promises so many dreams, some become colourful and some become grey. Yet, go on with your dreams – Sanjeeb Chowdhury (taken from the CD sleeve of Dalchhut’s latest album Jochhnabihar)