Sujay Shyam, one of the music directors of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, composer and vocal warrior passed away. He breathed his last on Thursday (October 18) around 3:00 am while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He was 78 years old at the time of his death.
His daughter Rupa Manjuri Shyam (Liza) told the media this information.
Liza said, "All in all, he was healthy. But on September 24, he fell ill again and was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. It could not be returned from there.
Sujay Shyam was born on March 14, 1946 in Sylhet district of then British India. His father Amarendra Chandra Shah was a school assistant and owner of a tea garden called 'Indreshar-T'. His childhood was spent in Sylhet's tea plantations and hilly areas. Sujay was the sixth of ten siblings.
Veteran freedom fighter Sujay Shyam has received several national awards for his contribution to music. He received Ekushey Medal in 2018. Sujay Shyam composed the last song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971 and the first song after the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces. He composed and directed the music of the song 'Bijoy Nishan Urche Oi' written by lyricist Shahidul Amin. Ajit Roy was the main vocalist of the song.
Other songs composed by Sujeya Shyam include 'Rakta Dye Naam Kheyechi', 'Rakta Chai Rakta Chai', 'Aha Dhanya Amar Janmbhumi', 'Ayre Chashi Mazur Coolie', 'Muktir Same Path Sangram', 'Shon Re Tora Shon' etc. .
Funeral arrangements for the late Sujay Shyam are yet to be decided. A decision will be taken after discussing with all the family, said the relatives.
In 2006, he directed the music for an album titled Swadhin Bangla Betar Song, a collection of 46 songs broadcast on Bangladesh Betar during the Great Liberation War of 1971. In continuation of this, later in 2013 he directed the music of another album called Swadhin Bangla Betar Gan - 2 with a collection of 50 more songs.