Artistes recently paid tribute to the late eminent singer-composer Ajit Roy by singing songs composed by the late Tagore artiste at a memorial event which was recently held at National Art Gallery Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha in the city.

Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor, veteran journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky were present at the memorial meeting. The discussants talked about life and immense contributions of Ajit Roy at the programmme. The guests uttered that Ajit Roy was soft-spoken, secular, reserved by nature. He was a cultural and social organiser. He was the founder of the Abbhuday Sangeet Angan, a reputed cultural organisation, He founded it in 1990. June 29 marked the 80th birth anniversary of this reputed musician.

Artistes paid tribute to Roy, also a renowned Tagore singer and an artiste of defunct Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, by rendering songs composed by Roy. They also sang popular songs of Rabindranath Tagore and others.

Ajit Roy was a Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer. Born in 1938, the singer was inspired by the spirit of the Language Movement and took to singing in 1952. After his matriculation, in 1963 he began to perform on radio and TV. Ajit Roy has been a passionate singer since 1963. During the Liberation War of 1971 he sang inspiring songs called Gana Sangeet to inspire people to take arms against the Pakistani forces. He has composed several timeless patriotic songs including "Ekti Bangladesh Tumi Jagroto Janatar", "Apomaney Tumi Sdhedin Joley Uthechhiley Shedin Barnomala", "Banglar Mukh Ami Dekiachhi", "Hey Bango Bhandarey Tabo" and more which went on to become hugely popular.

Ajit joined Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (SBBK) in 1971 that inspired the nation to fight the Pakistani army. He was a committed personality who never hankered after money. His patriotic zeal is incomparable. Wherever he performed on stage, he would wrap up with the rendition of national anthem. Nobody seen him getting angry on anyone. He has a great contribution in making singers.