Musical Journey : Sabina Mumtaz Islam

Music has been an appetizer to her since her childhood days.

When Sabina Mumtaz Islam was only 4 years old , she started humming the tunes , which her “baba” used to sing .Born in a cultured family in Guwahati, Sabina’s remarkable musical journey was set off by her father *Janab Nurul Islam* .At a tender age of ten, she won the 1st prize in All Assam Music Compitition. Later, while obtaining bachelors degree in English literature from Cotton College, and Diploma in Tourism and Computer Science(IGNOU), she simultaneously enriched herself musically. In the year 1988, she became ‘Sangeet Visharad’ from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapeeth .
Sabina’s classical sojourn flourished when she joined ITC Sangeet Research Academy ,Kolkata ,as a Scholar , the hub of classical music under the umbrage of Late Pandit Sunil Bose – an exponent of Agra Gharana. She later came under the tutelage of Vidushi Subhra Guha,doyen of the same Gharana. Sabina has undergone rigorous training from her guru in the famous guru-shishya tradition and for the last 22 years she still continues to do so. She too adheres to the astute guidelines of Padmashree Pt. Vijay Kichlu the stalwart of Agra Gharana. Sabina has now blossomed into a full-fledged performer and performs nationally as well as across the globe. She is a full time performer in All India Radio and Doordarshan where she is an “A” grade artist in both Khyal and Light classical category. Apart from this, she also delivers performances in various television channels regularly.Sabina is an impanel artist of ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) . As a playback ,singer she debuted in the Bengali  film “Har Har Byomke

Sabina has performed in the major cities across India like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dhanbad, Vadodra, Amritsar,Allahabad, Pondicherry, Banasas etc . Her recitals reached far and wide including the foreign countries like USA and to Bangladesh.

In 1989 Sabina was a participant in the All India National Integration Camp & workshop in Bangalore .In the year 1991 Sabina was awarded for representing the state of Assam in the light music and classical categories in All India Inter College Youth Festival Dhanbad .
She has earned numerous awards between 2003 and 2005. Among them, the two very promising awards  are the ‘ Young Artist Award’ under EZCC and the Jnana Pravaha fellowship for being an astoundingly promising musician. She achieved a gold medal too from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture,Government of India.Sabina successfully performed in the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy, 103rd Shastriya Sangeet Sammelan at Amritsar,where she  enthralled the audiences by her mellifluous and soulful voice.She has been performing in the major platforms of Indo Occidental Symbiosis at Kala Mandir,Uttam Manch for Sangeet Piyasi organization, G.D Birla Sabhaghar, Okakaru Bhavan,various concerts organized by IIC Delhi, Aurovill Pondicherry,Sangeet Ashram,Jnana Pravaha,Shrutinandan, ‘Arpan’ organised by ITC Sangeet Research Academy,Thumri Festival in Choudhury House, VSK Purab Ang Gayaki ,WWF Delhi , NCPA Mumbai, West Bengal State Music Academy Annual festival,ITC Mini Sammelan,9th Punyatithi of Bharat Ratna Pt.Bhimsen Joshi”Vasundhara” Festival at Dharwad etc.

Even in western countries she showcased her versatility with spectacular success. Sabina solely represented North Indian Classical Music in World Music Festival ‘Navaratri’in WESLEYAN University ,Connecticut. which was one of her remarkable achievements. She too performed in the prestigious platforms like The Arch,Chhandayan in NYC and in cities like Chicago,New Jersey,Albany,Buffalo,Rochester etc. She was also a faculty of classical vocal lessons in AAICM,NYC.
From the year 2010 onward, Sabina has been going to Bangladesh for offering music Sessions as well as for performing .She had been performing there under the aegis of ITC Sangeet Research Academy and Bengal Foundation and Fulki.
Eminent personalities like the President of India, late Sh. A.P.J.Abul Kalam, late Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra, late Vidushi Girija Devi, Gundecha Brothers highly appreciated her for her wonderful soulful renditions.

Sabina’s wide repertoire includes Thumri, Dadra,Chaiti,Kajri,Tappa as well as Ghazal, Bhajan, Sufi etc. She is proficient in the ‘Poorav ang’ gayaki of Banaras. Her dulcet voice attuned with perfect ‘aakar’ provides an impeccable blend of perfect raagdari on one hand and aesthetics on the other.

Sabina Mumtaz Islam