Talented individuals do not show off their skills. They maintain distance from name and fame (media). Silchar-based vocalist, percussionist and actor Subhan Das is one such talented individual. His only aim is to entertain his audience.
Subhan Das and the paparazzi are distant. His associations with Dolchhut (one of the most popular music bands in Barak Valley), Khyapar Dol, Bibartan Theatre Group (Hailakandi), Aajker Projonmo Theatre Group (Silchar), Shobdobrommo (an instrumental group) are enough for him. He has also worked with Folkera, another renowned cultural group.
It is a treat for the eyes when he unlocks his long hair and plays percussion to perfection or performs a song. It is also a treat listening to him. As mentioned earlier, the good-natured Subhan Das does not like to flaunt his skills. He is always up to some creative and constructive ideas.
However, the media-shy Subhan Das has miles to go. But his performances speak volumes. At present, Subhan Das is busy playing his percussion and honing his acting skills for a local thriller movie. He is also working on an album (Khyapar Dol), which will release in a month or two.
Subhan Das was born in Sonbeel (Kalibari, Karimganj district). He used to learn Tabla as well. His first music teacher was Nilotpal Chakroborty (Nijhum). His father used to play Tabla and Khol very well. But the cruel hands of death snatched his father from him when Subhan Das was just five.
Taking birth in a music-loving family helped him hone his skills. His elder brothers were also culture-lovers (Jatrapala, Natok, among others). Subhan’s first stage performance was ‘Dim Chur’ (he was studying at Class VI).
Later, he started taking training from his grandfather (Bhabojyoti Das). He played to perform Naam Kirtana and play Khol. During this period, he along with his three friends (Trideep, Subhadeep and Suman) founded Khyapar Dol.
One fine day, his Tabla teacher informed him about a drama workshop, to be held in the Hailakandi district. A reluctant Subhan listened to his Tabla teacher’s words and joined the workshop, which proved to be a life-changing workshop for the talented Subhan Das. The workshop taught Subhan the nuances of acting (plays and dramas). This workshop and his acting helped Subhan become recognised. He got introduced to Bibartan Theatre Group, one of the most famous theatre groups in Barak Valley.
Subhan Das has a mentor. In Silchar, if one asks aspiring performers, artists, singers, actors, writers, sports journalists, anchors, among others, about their mentor or Guru, they will name Sayan Biswas (sports journalist, anchor, actor, dramatist, theatre actor, theatre director, vocalist, playwright, writer, columnist, host, announcer, cricketer and founder of Dolchhut Band) as their mentor or Guru.
The same is the case with Subhan Das. The workshop (Hailakandi) introduced him to Sayan Biswas. He also got acquainted with the members of the Feriwala Band (Hailakandi). Though he never learnt music or went to a music school, they loved his voice and told him to join the band.
Since then, there has been no looking back for Subhan Das. On another fine day, Sayan Biswas called him and asked him to come to Silchar for Dolchhut’s performance (Sayan Biswas is also the founder and lead-vocalist of Dolchhut).
It was his life’s first performance in front of a large audience. After that, he performed at various places (Silchar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Sonbeel, Lumding, Haflong, Naogaon, Guwahati, Shillong, among others). He also got opportunities for performing in foreign lands (Dhaka, Sylhet, Dhaka Dakshin, Habiganj).
Subhan Das idolises Nilotpal Chakraborty, Bhabojyoti Das, Trideep Das, Subhadeep Das, Suman Das, his parents, Pramila Das and late Sushil Chandra Das, and Sayan Biswas.