Controversy surrounds ‘Uttoradhikar’ album featuring 20 Ayub Bachchu songs
The newly arranged album “Uttoradhikar”, featuring 20 songs by legendary musician Ayub Bachchu, has sparked controversy, with musicians and lyricists protesting against what they describe as the distortion and unauthorised reworking of his music.
In protest against the alleged alteration of Bachchu’s songs, Voice for AB organised a silent protest and human chain in Chattogram, demanding the cancellation of the “Uttoradhikar” album. Meanwhile, the lyricists of several of the songs have also voiced their opposition, alleging that their works were used without permission and presented in a substandard manner.
Amid the criticism, two songs from the project have already been removed from YouTube.
The protest and human chain were held last Friday afternoon at the ‘Rupali Guitar’ square in Chattogram’s Probortok intersection. The programme was moderated by musician Hafiz Mubin, a founding member of the band Roots, and attended by musicians, artistes and music enthusiasts from various bands in the port city.
Demanding the withdrawal of the “Uttoradhikar” album, the protesters said their objective was not to undermine anyone involved in the project. Their sole demand, they said, was that Ayub Bachchu’s music be preserved and presented with the respect it deserves.
They stressed that they had no objection to the younger generation covering Bachchu’s songs. However, they said the original melodies, emotions and essence of the songs should not be distorted.
Among those present at the protest was drummer Golam Rahman Romel, a longtime musical companion of Ayub Bachchu and a former member of LRB.
Speaking about the protest, Romel said, “The musicians of Chattogram organised this human chain and protest demanding the cancellation of the Uttoradhikar project. Everyone came here out of genuine hurt. We all have one demand — that the ‘Uttoradhikar’ project be cancelled.”
Claiming that Bachchu’s songs had been distorted in the project, Romel said, “I performed these songs with Boss (Ayub Bachchu) countless times on stage. I have a deep emotional connection with them. After listening to the new arrangement of ‘Ghumonto Shohor’, I could not control myself. I feel the same way about ‘Kosto Kake Bole’. It is simply not right to make a mockery of Ayub Bachchu.”
He added, “Everyone should be allowed to sing Ayub Bachchu’s songs. They can certainly be given new arrangements as well, but there must be respect for the original work. The lyricists could have been consulted. The songs could have been produced after discussions with senior musicians such as Hamin Ahmed, Tipu Bhai and Partha.”
Meanwhile, six lyricists associated with songs featured in “Uttoradhikar” issued a joint statement last night, formally protesting against the project.
The lyricists are Bappi Khan, Latiful Islam Shibli, Zayed Amin, Angel Shafik, Niaz Ahmed Anshu, and Ahmed Shafi Chowdhury Pratik, who issued the statement on behalf of late lyricist Kawsar Ahmed Chowdhury.
In the statement, they said, “We are not responsible for any of the songs written by us that have been used in the ‘Uttoradhikar’ project. We have neither issued nor will we issue no-objection certificates for any of the songs used in the project, as such a document may go beyond ordinary consent and amount to surrendering or transferring the lyricists’ rights, royalties and other interests.”
They further alleged, “Despite being co-owners of half of the intellectual property rights, reworking our songs without informing any of us is not only legally unacceptable but also insulting.”
The first song from Uttoradhikar was released on YouTube on August 16, marking Ayub Bachchu’s birth anniversary. The project was initially scheduled to release one song every day, but releases stopped after seven songs.
The songs “Ami Kosto Pete Bhalobashi”, performed by Kaniz Suborna, and “Ghumonto Shohor”, performed by Adit Rahman, have also been removed from YouTube following the backlash.
So far, neither Ayub Bachchu’s family nor Chishti Iqbal, the project’s planner, has issued a statement regarding the controversy.
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