In the crowded soundscape of our times, Tanjina Toma has quietly built her own frequency - one tuned to empathy, inclusion, and transformation. For over two decades, she has sung, taught, and mentored her way into the hearts of audiences and children alike, proving that music is not just performance, but participation.

A graduate of Chhayanaut, Toma's early years were shaped by the discipline of Rabindra Sangeet and classical training. Her melodious voice found its way to television, radio, and concert halls across continents - yet her deepest satisfaction came not from applause, but from the shared wonder of teaching. "I realized," she once reflected, "that music reaches its highest purpose when it becomes a bridge between differences."

That conviction became reality in 2015 with the creation of the Bibhash Cultural Academy, an inclusive platform where children of all abilities - including those with autism, cerebral palsy, or speech and hearing challenges - learn side by side with peers from marginalized and low-income families. Here, music is not taught through rigid notation but through feeling, rhythm, and connection. A hand gesture can become a lesson in timing; a shared beat can become a step toward belonging.

Parents of these children speak of quiet miracles: withdrawn children finding joy in rhythm, nonverbal ones humming their first tunes, friendships blossoming where words once failed. For Toma, these are not exceptions but affirmations of her faith in inclusion. "When a child sings," she says, "they learn they have a place in the harmony of the world."

Her pioneering work has earned national recognition, including the 71 Media Vision and Frontline Television Award in 2025 for her "transformative contribution to inclusive arts and music therapy." But Toma is more than an educator - she is also a cultural envoy. Over the years, she has represented Bangladesh in India under the ICCR, at Bangladesh embassies in India and the Netherlands, and at the International Mother Language Day program with Leiden University in the Netherlands. Her participation in community and cultural programs across Europe and Asia has carried Bangladesh's message of inclusivity to diverse audiences, where she continues to advocate for art as a universal language.

Within Bangladesh, her influence extends to the country's cultural institutions. She has served as a jury member and advisor for state-owned media, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Shishu Academy, and numerous national and international competitions involving children and young performers. Colleagues describe her as both firm and kind - a mentor who combines technical precision with heartfelt guidance. For many young contestants, a handwritten note of feedback from Toma is treasured long after the competition ends.

She is equally at home on television talk shows and public forums, where she speaks passionately about the role of music in emotional development, mental well-being, and social harmony. Her perspective is disarmingly simple: "When children sing together, they learn patience, timing, and empathy. That is the beginning of coexistence."

Beyond the stage and screen, Toma is known for her tireless mentoring - especially of children with disabilities, adolescents from marginalized backgrounds, and young artists finding their own voice. Her evenings often stretch late into rehearsal rooms and phone calls with anxious parents, ensuring no child feels left behind. Many of her students have gone on to perform and teach, extending her legacy of inclusion and compassion.

To describe Tanjina Toma merely as a singer is to overlook her quiet revolution. She is a teacher, a guide, and a believer in the healing power of sound. Her songs are not just meant to be heard - they are meant to include. In a world that often divides by difference, she continues to remind us that harmony is not the absence of variation, but its celebration.