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Bhubaneswar, July 27: The 77th birth anniversary of singer Mohammad Sikandar Alam was celebrated through a musical evening held at Rabindra Mandap.
Sikandar Alam Foundation, in association with the state culture department and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, organised the event. Vocalists presented some of Alam’s popular songs including ‘Sagare Adhire’, ‘Dele Dhara Katha Sare’, and ‘Sinha Bahini Shakti Pradayeeni Maa’.
A group of eight singers began proceedings for the evening with the song ‘Sinha Bahini Shakti Pradayeeni Maa’. It was followed by duet and solo performances.
Nazia, the daughter of Alam, gave solo recitals of ‘Sagare Adhire’ and ‘Je Nayana Ranga Hara’ and also sang some duets.
Nazia recalled Alam to be “a good father, teacher and musician”. “He is among iconic singers of Orissa who dedicated their lives to music. I feel blessed and privileged to be his daughter,” she said.
Nazia said she was doing her best to popularise Oriya music following in the footsteps of her illustrious father. “We are an event in December to give away Sikandar Kalam Memorial award. The award will be given to budding artistes as well and legendary musicians,” she added.
Sikandar Alam was born in 1939 and was popularly known as ‘Bhakta Salabega’ of modern Orissa for his dedication to Jagannath bhajans. He was also the first Oriya singer whose song was played by the BBC, London, in 1970.
In 1957, Sikandar Alam joined All India Radio and he moved on to the film industry in 1964 with Balakrushna Dash’s movie ‘Laxmi’. In his 60-year long career Sikandar Alam rendered round 2,000 songs in 50 movies and albums, including ‘Amada Bata’, ‘Adina Megha’, ‘Manika Jodi’, ‘Mamata’, ‘Suryamukhi’ and ‘Puja’. He also created a music album called ‘Ala Ke Huzur’ with wife and daughter.
Alam was honoured with awards including Chitrapuri award, Dharitri Samman, Odisha Society of America, Odisha state film award, Cine Critics award, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Akashavani Abasara Binodana Kendra Award and Banichitra Samman for lifetime achievement in classical and modern music. The singer died August 8, 2010, at the age of 71 following prolonged illness.
