Music with a mission

Music with a mission

by Kutubuddin Kamal

Friday, the 19th of October. The Kozmo Lounge at Dhanmondi was abuzz with anticipation. 'Kozmo (A)live with Arnab & Andrew' was a sellout. The ticket sales had begun a month back. When the lights came on, a wave of excitement swept through the crowd. On stage were Arnab and Andrew Morris. The next two hours or so were a music lover's delight, as Arnab's soulful voice fused with the captivating tune of Morris's saxophone. Arnab has already cemented his place in the local music scene a number of hit singles. His 'shey jey boshey achhey' was virtually the song of the year when it came out. He is regarded as one of the most promising composers of Bangla music today. He has previously played with the popular band Bangla. Morris, on the other hand, is an education consultant and talented saxophonist. He has played saxophone for Blue Note and has recently been involved with a programme to raise fund for a Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association Hostel. Arnab and Morris met six months back in what could be called a random encounter. 'We have a common friend. One day Andrew came to my studio. When I started playing a song on my guitar, he joined in with his saxophone. We clicked instantly,' Arnab says. 'Playing with Andrew has been an enlightening experience and our collaboration has been very successful.' 'When I met Arnab I didn't know of many local musicians but I knew Habib and Arnab were very popular,' says Morris. 'Arnab is a talented composer and working with him has been a pleasure.' The response of music enthusiasts has been positive and they welcomed the new sound that has emerged from the collaboration. 'We both have learned a lot from each other during our collaboration,' says Arnab. 'I sing classical and folk music among others while Andrew plays the saxophone. There is a lot of scope for us to learn from each other.' The show at the Kozmo Lounge was also to support the humanitarian cause of the women lawyer's association, which came into being with the objective of protecting abused women and children by providing them with legal and rehabilitation support. The association has taken initiatives to build a shelter for the victims of rape, domestic slavery, trafficking and exploitation. They will be given training in various skills that will help them to re-establish themselves in society. Dormitories, auditorium, school and training facilities are also to be provided to the victims. A site has already been secured outside Dhaka. Approximately Tk 44 crore is required to implement the project. 'I read about the domestic worker Madhabi who was pushed from the balcony of a house where she worked as a domestic help by the landlord,' says Andrew. 'I came to know that the girl had been rescued by BNWLA workers and I visited her. The incident really moved me and soon I became involved with the project.' Previously the duo played at the Heritage Restaurant in Gulshan, where they had an even bigger audience and consequently raised a large sum of money for the project. Many were unfamiliar with the association before but through their music and involvement the duo has been able to raise the much-needed awareness among people. Also, signed posters of the duo from their recent gigs are up for sale, the earnings from which will be donated to the BNWLA fund. A couple of more performances are scheduled although the duo has not decided on a long-term collaboration yet. However, both are eager to work together in the future. Morris will feature in a few tracks in Arnab's upcoming album. The duo may also perform in New York and London next year.