National award surprises singer Rupam

KOLKATA - Rupam Islam is overjoyed at getting the national award for best male playback singer, but he candidly admits that he was far from satisfied with his singing in the Bengali movie “Mahanagar@Kolkata”.

“I am simply elated. I never though I will get such an award,” said Rupam, who has a Bengali band called Fossils.

“When I work I never think I’m doing well. I am never satisfied with my work,” said the 36-year-old who received his first music lessons from his late parents Nurul and Chhandita Islam.

Rupam seemed surprised by the award. “My work was not at all good. There was lot of scope for improvement. If such work deserves awards, then I think I should get more awards in future,” he said.

Rupam has also scored the music for the film “Mahanagar@Kolkata”. However, he got the award for his ballad on Kolkata.

Asked about his immediate reaction on hearing about the award, he said: “I embraced my wife Rupsa and we cried a lot.”