Alam-Piya School of Music

, Ustad Girija Shankar Chakraborty. Alam-Piya received his honours certificate from “Shangeet Kolabhobon” (a well-known music institution in Kolkata). He stood first among the entire students during that period. His keen interest always lied on the theories and history of Indian Classical music. Later on his life, he started writing his own thesis on Indian Classical music. During his training period, he used his previous pen name, “Robin Munshi” to perform in a radio station called “Akash Bani Kolkata”. In 1948, he returned back to then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh with the blessings of his teachers. From then on, he started teaching music in Khulna, Bangladesh. After a year, he came to Dhaka, Bangladesh to promote himself as a music teacher, performer, and researcher. He joined “Radio Pakistan” in Dhaka as a music producer. In 1955, with the humble request from Bulbul Chowdhury (maestro of dance, Pakistan, and founder of BAFA), Ustad Raisuddin joined BAFA (Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts) as the first principal. He continued to work in BAFA until his time of death on April 11, 1973. In 1959, he became the head examiner (Music) of East Pakistan Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. In 1960, his book “Probeshika Shongeet Shikka Poddhoti” had been acknowledged by East Pakistan School Textbook Board as the only music text book. Other textbooks such as, “Shongeet Porichoy”, “Chotoder Saregama”, “Shur Lohori”, “Shongeet Path”, and “Geet Lohori” was also published under the same banner. These books are still being used in present time in all over Bangladesh. Being a researcher and author he has gifted us with 357 independent ragas. Since the 12th century, no one in history of Indian Classical music has ever created such number of ragas. Based on his creation of ragas, the Government of Pakistan entitled him with the title of being an Ustad of Music in the year of 1967. He has also received a gold medal and “Pride of Performance”- honorary award from the President of Pakistan. Ustad Munshi Raisuddin (Alam-Piya) was a hard worker and a self-made man. He has established an identity in his life long venture of his musical journey. He has also created and contributed a priceless heritage of culture on the Indian Classical music. All his writings and music were devoted and dedicated to God and spiritual existence, because he was a spiritual person himself and believed in the divine creator. He has gained an immortal importance in our musical history. It is important for us to go forward with this venture of passing his knowledge to the youngsters of today’s modern society. Therefore his eldest son, Mr. AFM Alimuzzaman has decided to open a music school in Toronto, under his father, Ustad Raisuddin’s pen name and pass on the legacy.