Ark (Bangladeshi band)

Ark

Ark live at concert
Background information
Origin Dhaka, Bangladesh
Genres Rock
Pop rock
Years active 1991–present
Labels Sargam
Soundtek
Sangeeta
Associated acts Sumon (Paper Rhyme)
Bulbul (Prometheus)
Habib Wahid
Website www.ark.com.bd
Members Ashikuzzaman Tulu
Hasan
Faisal
Morshed
Tinku
Rumi
Past members Pancham
Shamim
Partho
Fredous
Mobin
Shamsul Farid
Jahangir Alam
Raja
Shishir
Joy
Rezwan
Jewel
Balam
Bulbul
Riju
Tonty

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 three contributed albums. These albums have spawned the songs "Sweety", "Durey Bohu Durey", "Jare Ja", 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 popularising 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 when Pancham was playing guitar in a studio.

Tulu, a prominent figure in 80s and 90s Bangla music industry, was the founder member of Chime, a renowned band of Bangladesh consisting of Khalid, Shoukat Ali Imon (Composer) and Sumon (present vocal of Pentagon). He was the chief composer in Chime. In late 80s, after release of Chimes's 2nd album, a dispute took place between Chime and Winning, another legendary contemporary band, over a song named 'Mon Ki Ze Chay'. The song was written, tuned and composed by Haydar Hossain, founder member of Winning and was also included in Winning's debut album. The ownership of the song was the main fact and, after a trial, Winning won the ownership. As a result, Chime had a bad reputation and eventually, Tulu was fired.

Frustrated Tulu started his career as a composer, but as a born band musician, couldn't live without being in a band. At that time, when he found Ponchom and some other wonderful 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. But the first line-up of the band had no drummer.

Ark released their first studio album Muktijuddho from the 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 "Cassablanca" movie title track.

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

Tajmahal (1993–1996)

In 1993, Hasan joined Ark as the lead vocalist, who was recommended by his good friend Pancham. Then Joy joined Ark as the drummer from LRB and Ark finally had a complete line-up and they started working on their second studio album. In 1994, Joy left the band and Rezwan, from the band of 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 Nikosh Kaalo 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 as a touring bassist from Prometheus.

In 1996, Ark released their second studio album Tajmahal by 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, Balam joined Ark as a guitarist and Jewel also joined Ark as a guitarist.

Jonmobhumi (1997–1998)

In 1997, after the huge success of the album 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 by Soundtek. The album featured two songs "Durey Bohu Durey" and "Koto Raat". The song Durey Bohu Durey was the biggest success of the album.

Ark performed at a block-buster 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 by Soundtek. The album Jonmobhumi 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. Jare Ja was the most successful and the biggest hit song that year. It also became one of their signature songs.

Shadhinota (1999–2000)

After the huge success of the Shadhinota, Ark signed a record deal with Soundtek again 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 by Soundtek. The album featured two songs "Ayna" and "Mete Aaj Utthi".

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

In late 2000, after the huge success of the album Shadhinota, Hasan left the band to form a new band 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 from the label Sangeeta. The album was a huge success but it turned out to be their last nonetheless. The album featured the songs "Tomake Aaj", "Jontronay" and "Harale Kothay" which were big hits. All songs were composed when Hasan was still in the band.

In late 2002, lead guitarist Pancham left the band. It was the end of Ark's great journey of that era.

Haran Majhi (late 2002)

Tulu, living in Canada, receiving the phone calls from both Hasan and Ponchom, was again heartbroken. But, he couldn't let his dream band, Ark to go down. So he decided to continue the band.

This time, he met Autumnal Moon, a extra-ordinary talented musician from Khulna. The two reformed Ark and started to work on a new album. The result was Haran Majhi, released in Eid-ul-Fitr 2002. In this album, Tulu played keyboards, bass guitar and programmed the drums along with giveng vocals. Moon played lead guitar, harmonica and varius percussions with vocal duties. The lyrics and tune was quite different from old Ark songs, as Moon was a different guy than Hasan or Ponchom, who were the principal songwriters of Ark's 90s era. The songs "Na na nari", "Risky Class Nine", "Nimainogor", "Vule Ki Gecho" was well recognized. However, Tulu again returned to Canada to do his job in CBC, and 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, finally Hasan 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 Nabil and drummer Rumi. The bad started performing regularly again at various concerts.

Ark performed at a concert "Old is Gold" along with Souls, Nagar Baul, LRB, Miles, Prometheus, Feedback and Warfaze which 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

Former members

Touring members

Discography

Studio albums

Contributed albums

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