Kalim Sharafi (Bengali: কলিম শরাফী) (8 May 1924 – 2 Nov 2010[1]) was a Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer and cultural revolutionary. He gave his ideas in several publications regarding politics, culture, and Tagore. He is regarded as one of the best Rabindra sangeet singers in the subcontinent.[2]
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Kalim Sharafi was born in Birbhun village of West Bengal on 8 May, 1924. His family was a part of a pir family who came from Sonargaon. His passion for music blossomed at an early age as he came across with renowned artists of pre-independent India. He said, "As a child I used to find Rabindranath’s compositions naturally melodic and heart touching and would grasp them easily".[2]
Sharafi was involved in politics at the age of 18 as he joined the Quit India movement in 1942. Consequently, he was arrested by the police from his village and spent more than a year in prison with other activists.[2]
Kalim Sharafi was the founding director of Bangladesh Television in 1964. He was a follower of Communism which predominantly disheartened his musical carrier. He was banned from both of the state running media BTV and Bangladesh Betar as a result of his political ideology. Sharafi also worked in Bangladesh Textile Corporation for a while. He is the current president of the "Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha".[2] He was also the founder of the music school Sangeet Bhaban.
Sharafi married Noushaba Khatun and have five children including one son and four daughters.[2]
Kalim Sharafi died at his residence on Tuesday 2 November, 2010 at the age of 86. He had been suffering from old age complications.
Sharafi was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1985 and Shadhinota Padak in 1999.[2] He received the first Rabindra Award 2010 for his contribution in promoting and preserving Rabindra Sangeet.