In my childhood in Khilgaon, our neighbour was the renowned singer Sohrab Hossain. He was my friend's father and I called him Khalu, uncle, but my relationship with him was like a friendship. He sang on radio and television, he had a Honda Fifty motorcycle, and whenever I went out with him he would buy me patties. From childhood I had an extraordinary fascination with radio and television.

With Sohrab Khalu I got the chance to go to radio and television, and I rode around the whole city on the back of his Honda Fifty. At the Pirjongi Mazar crossing in Motijheel there was a bakery called Paramount Confectionery. As a child I saw men walk through the neighbourhood in the evening with glass boxes on their heads, calling "Hot patties!" Shops enclosed in glass like that were rare then. On the way back from his television singing at DIT, the two of us would sit in the bakery and eat a patty each. That temptation was the basis of my friendship with Sohrab Khalu.

One day I went with Sohrab Khalu to the television building at what was then DIT. Music programmes were usually broadcast live in those days. It was there that I first met the popular singer Ferdousi Rahman. I had seen her sing on television many times, but never face to face.

On 25 December 1964, BTV's first music programme, on what was then PTV, Pakistan Television, began with a song by Ferdousi Rahman. On 27 December she began the popular programme "Esho Gaan Shikhi" (Come, Let's Learn to Sing). What joy it was to see that Ferdousi Rahman. Such a simple, graceful yet smart personality, full of refinement! When I came back I boasted to my friends: "You know, I've seen Ferdousi Rahman with my own eyes!"

Ferdousi Rahman, who placed on the board list in the matriculation exam and came first among girls in the whole country, was a model not only in music but in her studies too. I had probably just come out of the first show, at the Jonaki or Modhumita cinema, of "Neel Akasher Neechey", starring Razzak and Kabori. Ringing in my ears was Ferdousi Rahman's song on Kabori's lips, "Gaan Hoye Ele…".

In those days small booklets printed on newsprint, with the lyrics of a film's songs, were sold in front of cinemas. I remember buying one as soon as I came out of the hall. In my childhood and adolescence, that is how Ferdousi Rahman "came as a song" to me. And not only to me.

I think that for many people of my age, Ferdousi Rahman is the cuckoo of sweet songs. "Kotha Bolo Na Bolo Ogo Bondhu", "Ami Kar Jonno Poth Cheye Robo", "Ami Roopnagarer Rajkonya", "Pran Sokhire Oi Shon Kodombotole", "Je Jon Premer Bhab Jane Na", "Padmar Dheu Re", "Jar Chhaya Poreche Moner Aynate", "O Ki O Bondhu Kajol Bhomra", "Oki Gariyal Bhai" – with countless popular songs like these she has filled our hearts.

Ferdousi Rahman is the worthy daughter of Abbasuddin, known as the emperor of palligeeti, the folk songs of rural Bengal. Her father became famous singing palligeeti. Besides palligeeti, Ferdousi Rahman has sung every kind of song, including Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, modern songs and film playback. Apart from Bengali, she has sung in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, German and several other languages. She is our first woman music director.

After we founded Channel i, I met her several times. Over time I understood that she does not only sing well; she is truly a person of pure spirit. Talking to her lifts the mind. Just as there is melody in her voice, there is magic in her words. With that magic she has charmed countless television viewers, and inspired countless children and teenagers to learn music. Through "Esho Gaan Shikhi", this living legend of music became "Khalamoni", everyone's aunt.

Many artists came up through "Esho Gaan Shikhi". Today's popular singer Kona was also part of the programme. Perhaps many did not become famous singers, but those who were in contact with Ferdousi Rahman certainly became good people through her ideals and ethics. They are spread across the country and abroad as members of Ferdousi Rahman's family. Ferdousi Rahman has remained one of our Channel i family. We have always had her with us, and she has regarded Channel i as her own home.

Today, 28 June, Ferdousi Rahman turned 84. At our invitation she came to the Channel i premises for the occasion. Even at this age she has the same vitality as before, and she spoke with affection in her voice. She began singing on the radio programme "Khelaghar" at just eight years old, so of her 84 years she has been singing for us for 76.

The songs of this gifted artist carry the feelings of our hearts and the story of the country's soil and people. On her birthday today I wish her a long and healthy life. Happy birthday, Ferdousi Apa.

Source: Shykh Seraj. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.