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MOHAMMED SHAHEEN
(Introduction to an Artist/Teacher)
Mohammed Shaheen is a very well-known name in North Texas especially in the Dallas/FortWorth area. His sweet and melodious rendering of Khayal, and “Old Memory Songs” dserves special mention. He also performs the lighter forms of Hindustani music like Bhajans, Geet and Ghazals with equal grace and perfection.
He started his training in North Indian classical music at the early age of seven with Guru, Mr. Salim Chowdhury in Dhaka, Bangladesh. After four years of his guidance, he gained further training from Mr. Abdul Latif and Shree Shudhin Das. Later he received extensive training in Classical Music (North Indian) from Ustad Akhtar Sadmani and Ustad Phul Mohammad.
At 19, he earned the title of Sangeet Visharad, which is equivalent to Bachelors Degree in Music from the Sur- Sangam Sangeet Academy, a renowned music school in India. Later, he advanced his learning under the able guidance of Pandit Barin Majumdar of the Jaipur Gharana and Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty of the Patiala Gharana. He has also received his Diploma in Tabla and Sitar at the age of 22.
Md. Shahen has performed at various state and national level music concerts and competitions in Bangladesh. In 1970, he won first prize in a children’s vocal music competition oganized by Pakistan Television Corporation. He won many prizes during school and college days including the prestigious “National Nazrul Sangit Competition” organized by the Nazrul Academy and also the “National Music Competition” organized by the Pharmaceutical Dept. of Dhaka University. Besides, being a qualified musician, he continued his education and attained a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Political Science from Dhaka University, Bangladesh.
From 1978 he started on a regular basis to broadcast his music on television and radio. In 1984 he traveled to London and China as a representative of the Bangladesh Govt. Cultural Delegation. In the same year he came to the United States and graduated with a bachelors degree in Graphic Arts from Tennessee State University. He has performed in many countries, including India, China, UK, Australia, Canada, and all over USA. He also had an opportunity to perform on the same stage as many legendary artists like Manna Dey, Ghulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, Anup Jalota, Mitali Mukharjee, Shanghamitra Gupta etc. He has also attended several music competitions as a respected judge. He gives lecture demonstrations in various US universities about Indian classical music.
Mohammed Shaheen is the founder of the first Indian music school “SARGAM” in Plano, Texas where he has been teaching music for over 20 years to students of all ages from all countries in the Indian sub-continent and has recently attracted many American students as well.
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