In the music industry of Bangladesh, one artist is known as “Mix Master”! He was called Mix Master because, at that time, there was a trend in publishing mixed music albums where several artists collaborated. Therefore, listeners can enjoy songs from multiple artists by buying a single music album. At that time, the melodic singer Khalid was an inseparable name on the mixed music album. All the music album publishers wanted to include him in the album. Because he was very popular for his melodic voice. The nineties were the golden age of band music in Bangladesh. It was a time of change and new hope. The bands of Bangladesh tried to break the traditional norms of music and lead with the music from their personal experience. In that period, Khalid sang some melodies that still make people emotional.
It is believed that the rock music industry of the nineties was the last stronghold that could resist the influence of Bollywood. But there was a weakness in the rock band. The typical rock and heavy metal-based band songs were not a cup of tea for most of the Bangladeshi listeners. As we are used to melodious songs, heavy metal or hard rock music was not very popular with the average listeners. That is why it was difficult for the bands to compete with filmy songs which are romantic and well tuned sung by professional artists. Therefore, a new genre of music was invented named rock-pop, where rock music was presented with a softer and melodious tone. In that style of music, Khalid of the band Chime was the most prominent name.
Early life and Establishment of Chime
Khalid was born on August 1, 1965, in Gopalganj. He was the youngest of seven children of his parents, B.A. Hemayetuddin and Anwara Begum. His family had a strong cultural inclination, and his elder sisters used to learn songs from a music teacher.
Khalid discovered his passion for music very early in his age. When he was younger, his siblings received music lessons from a Ustad. Unfortunately, he was deemed too young to join in on the classes and was not allowed to be present there. Later, the family became astonished to find out that he could play the harmonium without any training. From that time on, he aspired to become a singer.
He passed SSC from SM Model Govt High School In 1979 and HSC in 1981. Later He graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Dhaka. He started his musical career in 1981 while he was a university student by joining a band called “Freezing Point.” In 1983, the name of “Freezing Point” was changed to Chime, and Khalid became its lead singer. In 1985, he sang on the first album of the same name by the band “Chime” released by the production company Sargam. He later gained popularity as a solo singer in the 1990s. Khalid had a long career, but he did produce a limited number of songs. Despite singing fewer songs compared to contemporary artists, each song sung by Khalid has gained popularity.
Musical Career
In the early 80s, Khalid was busy with the cultural arena of TSC adda (casual gathering). He was a band singer but he could perform Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, and folk songs perfectly. During his university student life in 1981, he entered the music world. He established a band named ‘Freezing Point’ with another legendary keyboardist Ashikuzzaman Tulu. In 1983, Khalid became the lead vocalist of Chime after Freezing Point changed its name. In 1985, Sargam released the debut album of the band Chime. The album was also named as Chime. Their first album was a huge hit. Then Khalid gained national fame. His melodious voice and well-mannered style attracted many people to Band songs previously who despised it. The band perfectly expressed the true feelings of young people. That’s why they gained instant fame. The band was best known for its songs ‘Nati-khati bela galo’, Until 2005, Chime released a total of five studio albums.
Later in the 1990s, he also gained popularity as a solo singer. Khalid was the companion for countless listeners on their sleepless nights through his songs expressing the pain of separation. With the magic of his voice, listeners found solace in celebrating their heartbreak. Later, listeners heard many more soulful songs in his voice. During that time, Prince Mahmud wrote and composed many popular songs that were played everywhere. The incredible songs created by this duo mesmerized the listeners. Alongside band stars like Ayub Bachchu, James, Maksud and Shafin Ahmed, Khalid’s songs in mixed albums had a distinct tone. Listeners would buy the albums because of his soulful vocals. In those compilation albums, Khalid’s voice can still be heard singing various songs – Tumi Akashey Bukay Shorolatar Protima’, ‘Jotota Megh Hole Brishti Namey’, ‘Kono Karone Ferano Gelo Na Take’, ‘Hoyni Jabar Bela’, ‘Jodi Himaloy Hoye Dukho Ashe’, ‘Tumi Nai Tai’ and ‘Akash Nila’. During the era of fast-paced rock music in the 80s and 90s, Khalid had a separate identity for his slow-paced songs. Most of the songs sung by Khalid are still popular among listeners.
In the 90s, he became known as a ‘Mix Master’. After the 90s the band’s music faced a slow death, many newer bands tried to regain their previous positions or recapture the golden era but failed. By then, the era of cassettes and CDs was over, and Bangla songs were dominated by FM radios.
At that time Prince Mahmud brought him back with new songs. Prince Mahmud had Khalid sing a new song ‘Jodi Himaloy Hoye Dukho Ashe’ topped the charts across all radio stations. Other songs by this duo like ‘Amay Jodi Pore Mone’ also joined this wave. For any artist, having one hugely popular song is enough to survive. But Khalid has had so many songs that have found a place in the hearts of Bengalis, which will never fade.
In his personal life, Khalid was an introverted person. He did not write his lyrics or he did not compose his music therefore he had to depend on others for that. Despite his popularity, he did not seek attention from the industry. As a result, his number of work is limited. Khalid had been out of the public eye after the 2010s. He moved to New York in 2020 and lived there with his family. He occasionally visited Bangladesh, but his appearances on stage were rare. Khalid liked the songs of James and Anupam Roy. His favorite lyricists were Prince Mahmud and Tanvir Tareq.
Khalid got married to Shamima Zaman, a renowned writer. The reason why Khalid secluded himself from the public eye is not clear. Some people speculate that he stopped singing due to health issues, while others think that he voluntarily retired from music to concentrate on his personal life.
Death and Legacy
Khalid Anwar Saifullah breathed his last on March 18, 2024, due to a heart attack. He was laid to rest beside the graves of his parents in Gopalganj. Khalid’s death is a great loss for the Bangladeshi music industry. He was a talented artist whose songs touched the hearts of many. He will always be remembered as a legend of the soft rock/sad music genre.