The shining star and the pride of Chittagong hill tracts, Jayshree Roy, a popular modern musician during the 60's, is known as Chakma Lata Mangeshkar. Everyone used to call her, Misty Kokila for her melodious voice Chakma Lata Mangeshkar because she could sing all the songs of Lata Mangeshkar effortlessly. She was equally adept at all kinds of songs. But she still liked to sing adhunik gaan. People had to stand in the long line to attend her programs . Even after the show ended, the audience repeatedly requested her to sing. Moreover, she was not only known for her Kokil Kanthi voice or chakma Lata Mangeshkar, but also for her Beauty and her charming nature.
This talented artist was born on April 6, 1942 in Lama Upazila of Bandarban. Her father Nirupam Roy was an Inspector of Police. She used to play piano and organ.
After seeing her father from an early age, Mrs. Jayshree Roy fall in love with the cultural arena Her mother Mrs. Shailja Roy used to sing humming at home. All in all, Mrs. Jayshree Roy grew up in the cultural field. From the beginning of her childhood, she got the opportunity to sing at various big events for her father's job, and everyone praised her for her sweet melody . Later, she took music training for further improvement. Mrs. Jayshree Roy is the eldest from all her 6 siblings. Three of her younger siblings are also singers. . Now her younger brother and his daughter Mrs. Netri Roy are still practicing songs in the silence of the melody. "Muromuri Chora Chari ", the most famous chakma song sung by Mrs. Netri Roy.
Mrs. Jayshree Roy did her schooling from Rangamati govt high school. During Her schooling, she has won many awards and accolades for singing. The headmaster of the school loved her a lot for her zinging and recitation of poems.
Between 1962-1963, she got the singing opportunity from Bangladesh Betar but could not attend due to various problems. Then on 13th December 1974, Mrs. Jayshree Roy married to Mr. Kushol Dewan . After marriage due to domestic troubles, she couldn't continue her music.
But later, her husband encouraged her to follow her Passion again. She then entered the Music world and won the first prize in Polligiti from the Art Council in 1981 and In the same year she received second prize in Modern Song and in Rabindra Sangeet. And won a silver medal as a reward. At that time, her popularity increased day by day because of her popularity. Our late Chakma Queen Binita Roy had to arrange a VIP program with great enthusiasm in the Chakma Palace . After hearing her voice, a journalist from Dhaka took her to an interview and published it on the paper. The journalist mentioned in his publication that if he had not come to the palace, he would have missed such an enchanted voice.
In 2012, she received honors and medals for her special achievements in music from the Rangamati Indigenous Forum. And in 2019, she was honored with a medal from the Khagrachari Indigenous Forum.
Beside a singer, she was an excellent talented woman she didn't just limited herself to singing. In addition to singing, she has been performing at a Play by Art Council since 1982. The name of the play was "Meghmukti" and she was the lead heroine of the play. Also, she was closely involved with the National Women’s Organization, & Women’s Sports organization. At age of 79 ,she is still continuing her music practice since all her family members are involved in the cultural arena and for her talented siblings and along with her new generation are still attached with the music. Whenever she and her family members have free time, they arrange a family music show.
Jayshree Roy is the living legend of our indigenous society. It is a matter of good fortune to have such an amazing artist. Indigenous people will remember this majestic woman for ages.
Written by Athina Chakma
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