The name of Kumar Samit Roy is an ambrosial tone for the chakma music lovers. His songs are like panacea for them. His songs cure all the wounds of the listeners and fill their hearts with pure love. His laudation is uttered by every hill of Murollye Chadigang (Chittagong Hill Tracts). But who is Kumar Samit Roy? This is a matter of sorrow that many people still don't know about him. Let's know about this legend today.
Kumar Samit Roy is considered to be the father of modern Chakma songs. He is one of the greatest of all time in the history of Chakma Music. He brought a revolutionary change in Chakma Music history. The Chakmas used to sing various folk songs including Genghuli and Ubogeet. According to the information available so far, he was the first to break that vogue and steered Chakma Music in a new direction.
Kumar Samit Roy was the second son of Chakma King Nalinaksha Roy and Rani Benita Roy. He was born on 22 August 1943 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) of the undivided Indian Subcontinent during the second world war. He passed the Senior Cambridge Examination from Victoria boys' School, Kurseong, Darjeeling, West Bengal. He obtained BA and MA in History from Chittagong University. He married in 1965. In 1970, He passed the prestigious CSP (Civil Service of Pakistan) and was offered a remarkable post in West Pakistan. But because of the absolute affection of his Motherland, he could not leave her. Instead, he stayed in Rangamati, the capital of Murollye Chadigang (CHT) and served his people. He was a very popular lecturer at Rangamati Govt. College from 1972 to 2004. Because of his magnetic personality and informal style of teaching, his students used to love him very much.
He made immense contributions to Chakma Music. Chakma Music was predominantly modernized by his hands. He used to sing pop songs. His singing style was different and unique from others. He was a music lover since his childhood. Though he had no formal education in music, he had enormous genius inside. Sometimes, he was fascinated by the unconditional love of his motherland and sometimes, he was wounded by the destruction of her. From 1956 to 1962, when the Kaptai Dam was built, almost all of the old Rangamati was submerged. All the places where his memories were entangled including the Chakma Royal Palace went under water. His people had to be displaced and emigrated. At this, his heart became heavy with grief. He was also a very romantic person. Being influenced by all these things, he composed his impeccable songs and gifted those to his people. He had written more than 20 pop songs for Genghuli which is the first Chakma Music Band of CHT. His songs express endless love for his Motherland, distress for losing the memories of childhood, soreness for being separated from his people and certainly romance.
These songs were mainly written in the late 70's and early 80's. People say that his lyrics are the richest among all the Chakma songs. Still, his songs are extremely popular among the Chakmas. His songs were initially covered by Rupayan Dewan, Uttam Dewan, King Devasish Roy, Sujan Dewan, Joyoti Roy and Sivasish Roy. Now, his songs are being sung by various artists from home and abroad. Some of his mentionable songs are :
● Mawnan Agaw San Nawlage.
● Gai Gai Mui Jangawr Pawttandi.
● Mon Mura Shora Gang.
● O Bargi Tui Ja Uri.
● Gazhaw Fagawndi Zunan.
● Ahzi Ahzi Din Berang.
● Montola Adamor Tanyebi.
● Kochpana Kare kawi.
● Ahzar Bawzhawr Dhori.
● Genghuli.
● Ma Kochpana San.
● Kellye Adikke Sawbawnawt.
● Dogino Boyer Bar.
● Adikke Redomai.
● Ahnjan Dol Zagagan.
● Oi Degawchni Chengi.
● Bennye Ohle.
● Train O Train.
● Sazonnye Tarabo Oi Duppegoi.
● Punong Chan Chadang Ecchye.
● Singgoba Duarawt.
● Monoghawrawt Shawra parawt.
● Shaon Furei Jiyegoi.
He, along with music, was fond of sports too. In fact, he was an all-rounder in sports. He played many games such as cricket, hockey, football, badminton, table-tennis etc. But he exclusively fell in love with cricket and football. He was the captain of the reputable star cricket club of Chittagong while studying at Chittagong University. In 1976, he represented Bangladesh in the Montreal Olympics. Furthermore, he was the founder of shahid sukkur football club and star cricket club of Rajbari. He coached many young players in different fields of sports, i.e. athletics. He always inspired and helped players to make their dreams true. Thus, he had also contributed to sports.
Throughout his life, Kumar Samit Roy worked for the welfare of his motherland. He has left innumerable contributions scattered for his nation. Chakma Music was massively fertilized during his time. Probably, no one else has been able to contribute to the Chakma Music as much as him yet. Leaving his people Indebted to him, this legend rested in peace in 2008. Now, he is remembered with absolute love and reverence. He will remain in the heart of Murollye Chadigang forever.
Written by Binoy Kumar Chakma
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