James (musician)

Bangladeshi singer (born 1960)

This article is about the Bangladeshi musician. For the English band, see James (band). For other uses, see James (disambiguation).

James

জেমস

James 2024

Born|

Faruq Mahfuz Anam James

(1965-10-02) 2 October 1965 (age 59)[1]

Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Other names| Guru
Occupations|

* Singer-songwriter
* playback singer
* record producer
* actor

Years active| 1981–present
Musical career
Origin| Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Genres|

* Psychedelic rock
* hard rock
* blues rock

Instruments|

* Guitar
* bass
* vocals
* keyboards
* drums
* saxophone
* flute

Labels|

* Sargam
* Soundtek
* Sangeeta
* Sony BMG
* Saregama

Musical artist

Faruq Mahfuz Anam James (born 2 October 1965), known mononymously as James, is a Bangladeshi singer-songwriter, guitarist and composer, also known as a playback singer. He is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the rock band Nagar Baul (previously Feelings). He is often referred by the name "Guru"[2] which means "master" or "teacher".

James was born and raised in Naogaon, but grew up in Chittagong city. James rose to mainstream fame in the 1990s as the frontman of Feelings, one of the "Big Three of Bangla 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 Ononna (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), and Warning (2013).[3]

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).[4][5]

## Early life

[edit]

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.[1] The family originally lived in Naogaon, but moved to Chittagong around 1958–59, when Mojammel Haque was transferred.

From his teens, James developed an avid interest in music, an interest which his family did not accept or support. 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.[6]

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.[1] He joined Feelings in 1977, as the vocal and the lead guitarist.[7][8]

## Career

[edit]

### Nagar Baul (1981–present)

[edit]

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:

* James – lead guitar, vocals
* Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums
* Pablo – keyboards, vocals
* Swapan – bass guitar

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 Jail). This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.

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 Ononna, 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.[citation needed]

James later renamed Feelings as Nagar Baul. The first and only album under the new name was Dushtu Cheler Dol, released in 2001.

### Bollywood

[edit]

James has been one of the most popular artists, both as a solo musician and with his band in Bangladesh and in West Bengal, since the 1990s. He met Pritam Chakraborty, an Indian Bengali music director and composer working in Bollywood, in 2004. In 2005, James did the playback for the film Gangster. The song was "Bheegi Bheegi" and it was a blockbuster hit, remaining at the top of the Bollywood Hit List for more than a month.[9] He teamed up with Pritam again for the film Woh Lamhe in 2006 for the song "Chal Chalein", and again for "Rishtey" and "Alvida (Reprise)" in the film Life in a Metro.

James' last song in Bollywood, titled "Bebasi", was released in 2013, for the film Warning.[10]

## Media

[edit]

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.[11]

## Red Dot Entertainment

[edit]

James, along with Gazi Shubhro and Jewel Paiker, co-owns the production house RED dot Multimedia Ltd, established in December 2005.[citation needed]

## Personal life

[edit]

James was first married to Rothi. In 2002, he ended his first marriage, and married Benazir Sazzad.[12]

James is an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and his photos have been used on album covers.[13]

## Discography

[edit]

### as "Feelings"

[edit]

* "স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987) (Originally known as Feelings)
* "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
* "নগর বাউল (Urban Bard)" (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 one of you)" (2003)
* "জনতা এক্সপ্রেস (People's Express)" (2005)
* "তুফান (Typhoon)" (2007)
* "কাল যমুনা (Tidal Jamuna)" (2008)

## Film soundtracks

[edit]

Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Songwriter(s) | Co-singer(s)

|
|
|
|
|

1999 | Narir Mon | "Mirabai" | Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul | Marzuk Russell | solo
2000  | Koshto | "Dosh Mash Dosh Din"  | Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul | Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul | solo
2006  | Woh Lamhe | "Chal Chale"  | Pritam Chakraborty | Sayeed Quadri | solo
2006  | Gangster | "Bheegi Bheegi"  | Pritam Chakraborty | Sayeed Quadri | solo
2007  | Moner Sathe Juddho | "Ashbar Kaale Ashlam Eka" or "Dui Diner Ek Jail"  | Emon Saha | Kabir Bakul | solo
| Life in a... Metro | "Rishtey" and "Alvida (Reprise)"  | Pritam Chakraborty | Sayeed Quadri | Another version of "Alvida" alongside K.K.
2011  | Matir Thikana | "Chotur Dolay"  | Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul | Kabir Bakul | solo
2013  | Warning 3D | "Bebasi"  | Meet Bros Anjjan | Kumaar | and Aditi Paul
2014  | Desha: The Leader | "Desha Ashche"  | Shafiq Tuhin | Shafiq Tuhin | solo
2015  | Warning (2015 film) | "Eto Koshto"  | Shawkat Ali Emon | Kabir Bakul | solo
2016  | Sweetheart (2016 film) | "Bidhata"  | Shafiq Tuhin | Shafiq Tuhin | solo
2017  | Swatta | "Tor Premete"  | Bappa Mazumder | Sohali Hossain | solo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Akbar, Zahid (2 October 2021). "There is only one James, today is his birthday". The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
2. ^ "Even people in villages relate to my music: James". The Times of India. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
3. ^ "James & Nagar Baul' live in concert". Indian Week Ender. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
4. ^ "29 artistes get Nat'l Film Award 2014". The Daily Star. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
5. ^ "National Film Awards for 2017 and 2018 announced". The Daily Star. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
6. ^ Ershad Kamol (21 September 2007). "I'll be releasing albums more regularly ...James". The Daily Star.
7. ^ "Nagar Baul set for World Tour following Eid". The Daily Ittefaq. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
8. ^ "James and Sanam will perform today in Dhaka". The Daily Star. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
9. ^ "Wild Horses of Musical Conviction". The Daily Star. 13 March 2011.
10. ^ Yount, Stacey (7 September 2013). "'Bebasi' – James' Brand New Song for Warning 3D". BollySpice.com - The latest movies, interviews in Bollywood. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
11. ^ "15 Years On, The Soundtrack Of 'Life In A Metro' Still Remains The Perfect Mix Of Pop, Rock & Emotions". ScoopWhoop. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
12. ^ "Bangladeshi pop singer arrested". BBC News. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
13. ^ "Joya Ahsan photographed by 'Nagar Baul' James". Dhaka Tribune. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James (musician).

* James at IMDb
* James web page on Bangla Band

* v
* t
* e

Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer

1975–1980|

* Abdul Alim (1975)
* Mahmudun Nabi (1976)
* Not Given (1977)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1978)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1979)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1980)

1981–2000|

* No Award (1981)
* Andrew Kishore (1982)
* Not Given (1983)
* Subir Nandi (1984)
* Not Given (1985)
* Subir Nandi (1986)
* Andrew Kishore (1987)
* Not Given (1988)
* Andrew Kishore (1989)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1990)
* Andrew Kishore (1991)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1992)
* Azad Rahman (1993)
* Khalid Hassan Milu (1994)
* Saidur Rahman Boyati (1995)
* Andrew Kishore (1996)
* Kiran Chandra Roy (1997)
* Not Given (1998)
* Subir Nandi (1999)
* Andrew Kishore (2000)

2001–present|

* Monir Khan (2001)
* Monir Khan (2002)
* Bashir Ahmad (2003)
* Subir Nandi (2004)
* Monir Khan (2005)
* Asif Akbar (2006)
* Andrew Kishore (2007)
* Andrew Kishore (2008)
* Kumar Bishwajit (2009)
* S.I. Tutul (2010)
* Kumar Bishwajit (2011)
* Polash (2012)
* Chandan Sinha (2013)
* James (2014)
* Subir Nandi (2015)
* S.I. Tutul (2015)
* Wakil Ahmed (2016)
* James (2017)
* Naimul Islam Ratul (2018)

* v
* t
* e

Bachsas Award for Best Male Singer

1973-2000|

* Abdul Alim (1973)
* Abdul Jabbar (1974)
* Abdul Jabbar (1975)
* Indra Mohan Rajbongshi & Syed Abdul Hadi (1976)
* Subir Nandi (1977)
* Abdul Jabbar (1978)
* Rathindranath Roy (1979)
* Rafiqul Alam (1980)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1981)
* Subir Nandi (1982)
* Rathindranath Roy (1983)
* Andrew Kishore(1984)
* Subir Nandi (1985)
* Subir Nandi (1986)
* Andrew Kishore (1987)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1988)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1995)
* Kiran Chandra Roy (1996)
* Syed Abdul Hadi (1998)
* Ayub Bachchu (1999)
* Bari Siddiqui (2000)

2001-present|

* Andrew Kishore (2001)
* Kumar Bishwajit (2002)
* Monir Khan (2003)
* Agun (2004)
* S.I. Tutul (2006)
* James (2007)
* Andrew Kishore (2008)
* Fazlur Rahman Babu (2009)
* Andrew Kishore (2010)
* James (2011)
* S.I. Tutul (2012)
* Chandan Sinha (2013)
* Belal Khan (2014)
* Asif Akbar (2015)
* Fazlur Rahman Babu (2016)
* James (2017)
* Imran Mahmudul (2018)

* v
* t
* e

Meril-Prothom Alo Award for Best Male Singer

* Tapan Chowdhury (1998)
* Andrew Kishore (1999)
* Andrew Kishore (2000)
* Asif Akbar (2001)
* Asif Akbar (2002)
* Asif Akbar (2003)
* Asif Akbar (2004)
* Asif Akbar (2005)
* Habib Wahid (2006)
* Balam (2007)
* Habib Wahid (2008)
* Habib Wahid (2009)
* Habib Wahid (2010)
* Arfin Rumey (2011)
* Habib Wahid (2012)
* Asif Akbar (2013)
* James (2014)
* Tahsan Rahman Khan (2015)
* Imran Mahmudul (2016)
* James (2017)
* Imran Mahmudul (2018)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* 2

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