Ark (Bangladeshi band)

Ark (Bengali: আর্ক) is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in 1991 by keyboardist Ashikuzzaman Tulu. As of 2014, the band line-up re-consists of keyboardist and vocalist Ashikuzzaman Tulu, lead vocalist Hasan, lead guitarist Faisal, bassist Morshed, keyboardist Tinku and drummer Rumi. Since their debut album Muktijuddho in 1991, the band has released five studio albums and some contributed albums. These have included the songs "Bhule Gechi", "Sweety", "Eto Koshto Keno Bhalobashay", "Paharer Churay", "Jare Ja", "Durey Bohu Durey", and "Harale Kothay", which have all been top hits in Bangladeshi rock music.

Ark rose to mainstream fame in 1990s and is one of the "Big Three of Rock" along with Nagar Baul and LRB, who were responsible for developing and popularizing rock music in Bangladesh.

History

Formation and Muktijuddho (1991–1992)

Ark was formed in 1991 in Dhaka by keyboardist and vocalist Ashikuzzaman Tulu, when he met guitarist Pancham, who was playing guitar in a studio.

Ashikuzzaman Tulu, a prominent figure in the Bangla music industry in the 80s and 90s, was a founder member of Chime, along with Khalid, Shoukat Ali Imon (composer) and Sumon (current vocal of Pentagon). Tulu was the principal composer for Chime. In the late 80s, after the release of Chimes's second album, there was a huge dispute between Chime and Winning, another legendary contemporary band, over the rights to the track "Mon Ki Je Chay". The song was written, tuned and composed by Haydar Hossain of Winning, and was also included in Winning's debut album. Winning won the rights to the song in a Trial. This episode was detrimental to Chime's reputation and eventually, Tulu was fired.

Frustrated, Tulu started his career as a composer, but as a veteran band musician, couldn't live without being in a band. When he met Pancham and some other great musicians, most notably Partho Protim Mazumdar, elder brother of Bappa Mazumdar, he formed the band Ark.

The band's first line-up consisted of keyboardist and vocalist Ashikuzzaman Tulu, lead guitarist and vocalist Pancham, lead vocalist Shamim, bassist Ferdous, Mobin, Partho and Jagu. This first line-up was without a drummer.

Ark released their first studio album, Muktijuddho, for the record label Sargam in 1991. This album featured the songs "Shedino Akashe Chilo Chaad" and "Harikane Lonthon", and was a failure. "Shedino Akashe" was originally a Chime song composed by Tulu, based on the tune of the theme song of the movie Casablanca.

In late 1991, Ferdous, Mobin and Jagu left the band and went abroad. In 1992, Raja joined Ark as a vocalist and Shishir joined as a bassist. Both were from the band Rockbriged. They were part of the band when Ark performed at its first concert, arranged by BAMBA at the University of Dhaka on 26 April 1992.

Tajmahal (1993–1996)

In 1993, Hasan joined Ark as its lead vocalist, having been recommended by his good friend Pancham. Then Joy from LRB joined Ark as its drummer. Ark finally had a complete line-up and started working on their second album. In 1994, Joy left the band and Rezwan, from the band Phantom Lord, replaced him. In late 1994, Shishir left the band to go abroad and was replaced by Sumon as a touring bassist from the band Paper Rhyme (of "Ondhokar Ghore/Nikosh Kalo Ei Adharey" fame). In 1995, Ark signed a record deal with Soundtek for their second studio album. In late 1995, Sumon left the band and was replaced by Bulbul from Prometheus as a touring bassist.

In 1996, Ark released their second studio album, Tajmahal, on Soundtek. The album was a phenomenal success and the band became one of the most popular rock bands of the 90s. The album featured the songs "Sweety", "Ekaki", "Tajmahal", "Guru", "Pagol Mon" and "Emon Ekta", which were all big hits. "Sweety", was the most popular and also the biggest hit in Bangladesh that year, and continues to be a Bangladeshi rock staple. It was their signature song.

In late 1996, Bulbul became a full member of the band as the bassist, Riju also joined Ark as a bassist, and Balam and Jewel joined Ark as guitarists.

Jonmobhumi (1997–1998)

In 1997, after the huge success of Tajmahal, Ark signed another record deal with Soundtek for their third studio album. Also in 1997, Ark released their first contributed album, Dhun, along with Souls, Nagar Baul, LRB, Feedback and Warfaze, on Soundtek. The album featured two songs from Ark "Koto Raat" and "Durey Bohu Durey".

Ark performed at a blockbuster concert along with Souls, Nagar Baul and LRB which was arranged by Ontor Showbiz at 1997. In late 1997, Rezwan left the band and he was replaced by Tonty as the drummer.

In 1998, Ark released their third studio album, Jonmobhumi on Soundtek. It was a huge success and Ark became one of the top bands in the history of Bangladeshi rock music. The album featured the songs "Jare Ja", "Obhimane Noy", "Akasher Niley", "Ei Dur Porobashe" and "Bangladesh", which were all smash hits.

In 1998, after the huge success of Jonmobhumi, Ark released their second Contributed album Stars 2, along with LRB, Chaim, Obscure, Nova, Wining, on Soundtek. The album featured two songs from Ark "Bhule Gechi" and "Reshmi Josonay", but the "Bhule Gechi" was the most successful and the biggest hit song of that year. It also became one of their signature song.

Shadhinota (1999–2000)

After the huge success of Jonmobhumi, Ark signed another record deal with Soundtek for their fourth studio album. The band performed their hits regularly at concerts. In 1999, Ark released their second contributed album, 6 Band '99 along with Souls, LRB, Prometheus, Feedback and Warfaze, on Soundtek. The album featured two songs "Ayna" and "Mete Aaj Utthi".

In 2000, Ark released their fourth studio album, Shadhinota on Soundtek. It featured the songs "Prema", "Ar Koto Mitto" and "Bondhu", which were very successful.

In late 2000, after the major success of Shadhinota, Hasan left the band to form a new band called Shadhinota. Drummer Tonty also left the band with Hasan to join Shadhinota.

Brihoshpoti (2001–2002)

After losing the lead vocalist Hasan, Ark struggled to continue as the great band they once were. Hasan left some unreleased tracks which were later used in their next contributed album, Brihoshpoti, released in 2002 by the record label Sangeeta. The album was a huge success but it turned out to be their last nonetheless. The album featured the songs from Ark "Tomake Aaj"(Tuned by Pancham), "Jontronay" and "Harale Kothay" which were big hits. All songs were composed by Pancham.

In late 2002, lead guitarist Pancham left the band. It was the end of Ark's great journey with its most successful lineup, until their reunion, reformation and relaunch in 2010.

Haran Majhi (late 2002)

Tulu, while living in Canada was heartbroken when he got the news of Ark breaking up from Hasan and Pancham. He decided to continue his dream band.

He met Autumnal Moon, an extraordinarily talented musician from Khulna. The two reformed Ark and started to work on a new album, Haran Majhi, released in Eid-ul-Fitr of 2002. On this album, Tulu played keyboards and bass guitar, programmed the drums, and performed the vocals. Moon played lead guitar, harmonica, and various percussion instruments, along with vocals. The lyrics and tunes were quite different from old Ark songs, as Moon's style was very different from Hasan or Ponchom, who were the principal songwriters of Ark's 90s era. The songs "Na na nari", "Risky Class Nine", "Nimainogor", and "Vule Ki Gecho" were well received. However, Tulu returned to Canada once again to his job in CBC, and the journey of Ark finally came to an end until 2010.

Reformation (2010–present)

In late 2010, Ark announced that they had reformed the band and would return to concerts that year. After 10 years, Hasan finally rejoined Ark as the lead vocalist, but Pancham did not return. The band's current line-up consists of keyboardist and vocalist Ashikuzzaman Tulu, lead vocalist Hasan, lead guitarist Tito, bassist Sohel, keyboardist Tinku and drummer Rumi. The band started performing regularly again at various concerts.

Ark performed at the "Old is Gold" concert along with Souls, Nagar Baul, LRB, Miles, Prometheus, Feedback and Warfaze. This concert was arranged by Carnival at the Bangladesh Army Stadium on 16 November 2012.

Now the band is working on their fifth studio album, which is scheduled to be released soon.

Band members

Current members

• Ashikuzzaman Tulu – keyboards, vocals (1991–present)
• Hasan – lead vocals (1993–2000, 2010–present)
• Faisal – lead guitar (2010–present)
• Morshed – bass guitar (2010–present)
• Tinku – keyboards (2010–present)
• Rumi – drums (2010–present)

Former members

• Pancham – lead guitar, vocals, composer (1991–2002)
• Shamim – vocals (1991–1996)
• Partho (1991)
• Ferdous (1991)
• Mobin (1991)
• Jahangir Alam (1991)
• Shamsul Farid (1991)
• Raja – vocals (1992–1993)
• Shishir – bass guitar (1992–1994)
• Joy – drums (1993–1994)
• Rezwan – drums (1994–1997)
• Jewel – lead guitar (1996)
• Balam – lead guitar (1996)
• Bulbul – bass guitar (1996)
• Riju – bass guitar (1996)
• Tonty – drums (1997–2000)
• Moon- lead guitar, harmonica, vocals (2002-2003)

Touring members

• Sumon (Paper Rhyme) – bass guitar (touring 1994–1995)
• Bulbul (Prometheus) – bass guitar (touring 1995–1996)
• Habib Wahid – keyboards

Discography

Studio albums

• Muktijuddho (1991)
• Tajmahal (1996)
• Jonmobhumi (1998)
• Shadhinota (2000)
• Haran Majhi (2002)

Contributed albums

• Dhun (1997)
• Stars 2 (1998)
• Hit Run Out (1998)
• Ekti Golap (1998)
• 6 Band '99 (1999)
• t & t (1999)
• Nei Tumi (2000)
• Dukheeni Maa (2000)
• Brihoshpoti (2001)

References

1. ১০ বছর পর আর্কে ফিরেছেন হাসান Prothom Alo. Retrieved 28 November 2010.

2. ১০ বছর পর আবার 'আর্ক' Kaler Kantho. Retrieved 28 November 2010.

3. ঢাকার মাঠে ওল্ড ইজ গোল্ড Kaler Kantho. Retrieved 17 November 2012.

External links

1. Official website

2. Official Facebook page