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.^[9] Ayub Bachchu left the bank in 1980 to join Souls.^[9]

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

• James — vocals, lead guitars (1983–present)^[17]
• Ahsan Elahi Fanty – drums (1984–present)^[18]
• Sultan Raihan Khan – lead guitars (2008–present)^[17]
• Talukdar Sabbir – bass guitar (2011–present)
• Rubaiyat Thakur Robin – band manager

Past members

• Ayub Bachchu – lead guitars (1977–1980)^[19]
• Saidul Hasan Swapan – bass guitar (1987–1990)^[20]
• Saidus Salehin Khaled Sumon – vocals, bass guitar (1990)
• Pantha Kanai – drums (1999–2000)^[21]
• Khayem Ahmed – keyboards ^[22]
• Kumar Bishwajit – lead vocals (1977–1980)^[2]
• Shimul Azhar – bass guitar (2021-2023)
• 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)

References