User:James.
Faruq Mahfuz Anam (born 2 October 1964), known mononymously as James or Guru James, is a Bangladeshi singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer and a playback singer. He is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the rock band Nagar Baul (previously Feelings), which he founded in 1977. He is often referred by the name Guru which means Master or Teacher.James was born and raised in Naogaon. But, he grew up in Chittagong city. James rose to mainstream fame in the 1990s as the frontman of Feelings, which is one of the Big Three of Rock, who were responsible for developing and popularizing hard rock music in Bangladesh, along with LRB and Ark. Feelings is considered to be the pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh.
James has also led a successful solo career, with hit albums like Ananya (1989), Palabe Kothay (1995), Dukhini Dukkho Korona (1997), Thik Achhe Bondhu (1999). He sang in four Bollywood films, including Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a... Metro (2007), Warning (2013).
James won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer twice for his performance in the films of Desha: The Leader (2014) and Swatta (2017).
Contents
Early life
James was born in Naogaon, Rajshahi on 2 October 1964 to father, Mojammel Haque and mother, Jahanara Khatun. His father was a government employee and worked as Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board. The family originally lived in Naogaon, but moved to Chittagong in around 1958–59, when Mojammel Haque was transferred.[citation needed]
From his teens, James developed an avid interest in music, an interest which his family did not accept or support. He first played guitar with his friends when he was in class seven in 1975. In the early-to-mid 1970s, while learning guitar, James became interested in bands like the Doors, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin and guitarists like Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and Jimi Hendrix.
Following a dispute with his family, James left his house when he was in class eight in 1976. He started living in a dormitory called Aziz Boarding in Pahartali. He joined Feelings in 1977, as the vocal and the lead guitarist.
Carrier
After some members left Feelings in 1981, James, Fanty, Pablo and Swapan re-formed the band and started to perform in local gigs. This was the line-up at that time:[8]
James – lead guitar, vocals Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums Pablo – keyboards, vocals Swapan – bass guitar He became popular among musicians as "The one who can play Mark Knopfler with the right feels".[clarification needed] After several years of stage shows, they came to Dhaka to record their first album, Station Road. James 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.[citation needed]
In 1993, they released their second album Jail Theke Bolchhi (Speaking from the Jail). This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.[9]
James performing in San Francisco Bay Area, US September 2013
James sings psychedelic rock and blues music. He has cited Jim Morrison, Mark Knopfler, and Eric Clapton as his influences.
Many lyricists have written songs for James, including poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi. Musicians and Music Composers like Lucky Akhand, Manam Ahmed, Prince Mahmud and Shawkat have also composed songs for him.
The albums he released with Feelings after Station Road (Originally titled Feelings), Jail Theke Bolchhi ,Nagar Baul in 1996, Leis Fita Leis in 1998, Collection of Feelings in 1999. His first solo album was Anonna, released in 1989, followed by Palabe Kothai in 1995, Dukkhini Dukkho Korona in 1997, Thik Achhe Bondhu in 1999, Ami Tomader E Lok in 2003, Jonota Express in 2005, Toofan in 2006 and Kal Jomuna in 2009.
James later renamed Feelings as Nagar Baul. The first and only album under the new name was "Dushtu Cheler Dol, released in 2001.
Personal Life
James was first married to Rothi. In 2002, he ended his first marriage, and married Benazir Sazzad, whom he reportedly met during a concert in New York around 1999. James has three children: daughters Jannat and Jahaan, and son Daanish.
Media
James first appeared in a television commercial for Pepsi in the early 2000s. This commercial was broadcast both in West Bengal and Bangladesh. In 2011, he starred in a Bangladeshi TVC for Black Horse, a brand of energy drinks. James appeared in the Bollywood movie Life in A... Metro, in which he played the role of a member of a street band, along with Pritam and Suhail Kaul.
Discography
as Feelings
"স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987) (Originally known as Feelings "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993) "নগর বাউল (City Baul)" (1996) "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Ribbon Lace)" (1998) as "Nagar Baul" Edit "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001) Solo albums Edit "অনন্যা (Unparalleled)" (1989) "পালাবে কোথায় (Where to Run?)" (1995) "দুঃখিনি দুঃখ করোনা (Don't be Sad, Sad Girl)" (1997) "ঠিক আছে বন্ধু (Okay, my Friend)" (1999) "আমি তোমাদেরই লোক (I am all Yours)" (2003) "জনতা এক্সপ্রেস (Peoples Express)" (2005) "তুফান (Typhoon)" (2007) "কাল যমুনা (Tidey Jamuna)" (2008)
Album descriptions
Edit Feelings (1988) Edit Released by Doel Products
All music is composed by James.
No. Title Lyrics Length 1. "Station Road" James 3:41 2. "Ar Noi Juddho" James 3:58 3. "Ager Jonome" James 4:15 4. "Amay Zete Dao" James 3:47 5. "Jhorna Theke Nodi" James 4:55 6. "Dukkho Keno Koro" Babu 2:37 7. "Glass Beat Games" Pablo 2:28 8. "Ekdin Chhilo" Musa 2:57 9. "Zodi Emon Hoto" Salauddin Shazal 3:05 10. "Ever Since You" Pablo 3:50 11. "Shotyer Shundor" Dewan Babu 3:29 12. "Rupshagor" Collected 3:48
References
^ "Even people in villages relate to my music: James". The Times of India. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
^ "James & Nagar Baul' live in concert". Indian Week Ender. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
^ "29 artistes get Nat'l Film Award 2014". The Daily Star. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
^ "National Film Awards for 2017 and 2018 announced". The Daily Star. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
^ Mahid Ul Ibad. "James: I'll be releasing albums more regularly". Mast Radio. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
^ "Nagar Baul set for World Tour following Eid". The Daily Ittefaq. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
^ "James and Sanam will perform today in Dhaka". The Daily Star. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
^ James & Nogor Baul Live in New Zealand. eventfinda.co.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
^ Songs sung by James (Nagar Baul). lyricsmotion.com. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
^ "Wild Horses of Musical Conviction". The Daily Star. 13 March 2011.
^ "Bangladeshi pop singer arrested". BBC News. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
