Mustafa Zaman Abbasi is a musicologist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1995 by the Government of Bangladesh. Abbasi was the youngest son of folk singer-composer Abbas Uddin Ahmed. As of 2016, he serves as a senior research scholar at the "Kazi Nazrul Islam and Abbasuddin Research and Study Centre" of Independent University, Bangladesh.
Once Abbasi said, "My inspiration is the empyrean beauty of nature. I must say that I got the chance to smell the melody of nature in the lap of my beloved father, Abbasuddin Ahmed. The renowned musicologist Nayeb Ali Tepu is also my inspiration. My sister has always motivated me a lot. Since childhood, I have been a great admirer of my classical gurus. Gradually, I have learnt many things from my school, college and university. In adulthood, I was inspired by my village and Bhawaiya songs.
"I am a sophisticated person. Though I have hailed from a fairly rich economic background and graduated from the University of Dhaka, I love to introduce myself as just a singer and a writer. I think I am the richest person in this country, because I have a collection of my father's most precious songs, the value of which is immeasurable. I am not a professional musicologist, rather music is my passion. I believe music is the invocation of love. My father bestrewed the seeds of music in me when I was just a kid and I think that's the reason behind my interest in music. I was a business executive of top grade by profession. I worked as a General Manager at Hisense Group for twelve long years. Later on, I started my own business and became very successful. Currently, I am working as a Senior Research Scholar and Convener of the Kazi Nazrul Islam & Abbasuddin Ahmed Study and Research Centre at Independent University, Bangladesh. My request to the young generation is to love the motherland, be dedicated and feel the colossal grace of the nature of our country."
Abbasi is the third son of Abbasuddin Ahmed. His eldest brother Mustafa Kamal was the Chief Justice of Bangladesh. His sister Ferdausi Rahman is a playback singer. Abbasi was trained by Indian classical musicians including Ustad Muhammad Hussain Khasru and Ustad Gul Mohammad Khan.
Abbasi has published more than fifty books in total. He has published two books on Bhawaiya music with staff notation of about 1,200 songs. He has published several books on poems of Jalaluddin Rumi, Niffari and Sultan Bahu. His books include "Abbasuddin Ahmed, Manush O Shilpi", "Kazi Nazrul Islam, Man and Poet" and "Puribo Ekaki".
He anchored television programs including "Amar Thikana" and "Bhora Nadeer Banke".
He has Ekushey Padak, Apex Foundation Award, Natyasobha Award, Bengal Centenary Award, Abbasuddin Gold Medal, Manik Mia Award, Sylhet Music Award, Lalon Parishad Award and others.
Abbasi is married to Asma Abbasi. His daughters are Samira Abbasi and Sharmini Abbasi.
December 8 marked the 83rd birth anniversary of Mustafa Zaman Abbasi.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
