A living legend of Bangladesh band music: Besbaba Sumon

When writing the history of band music in Bangladesh, one of the names that will be written in golden letters is Besbaba Suman. His full name is Jahanur Rahman Suman. However, the audience knows him as 'Besbaba'. His contribution, struggle, talent and love in the world of music established him not just as a musician, but as a symbol of a movement.

Starting days :

Bass Baba Suman is a student of Dhaka City College, he passed his S.S.C. examination in 1990 from Government Laboratory High School, Dhaka, then entered the world of music

Initially, he learned to play the guitar, but later he developed a love for the bass guitar.

He started working as a bass guitarist in the band "Feelings" (now Nagar Baul) in the 1990s. Then he also played in the band "Warfaze" for a while. But in order to turn his ideas, writing and sound into reality, he formed the band Aurthohin in 1998.But before 1986: Suman began his rock music career. This year, Suman formed a band called 'Frequency'.

Music life :

1990: Suman played bass guitar in the Frequency band. This year, Suman changed the name of his band to 'Rock Phantom'. Suman joined the band 'Silence' as the lead guitarist. A few days later, he started playing as a bass guitarist in 'Feelings'. He started playing as a bass guitarist in local studios. 1992: He played as a bass guitarist in the popular bands of Bangladesh, Warphase, In Dhaka, Sweet Venom, Rock Brigade. This year, he started working on his first album 'Suman O Orthaheen'. 1993: This year, Suman left Feelings, one of the most popular bands in Bangladesh. He planned to make a solo album. He wanted to sing songs of a different genre. He started singing solo songs in such a way that the atmosphere of the band was maintained in his solo songs. He sang his first song with Faisal and Russell. Rumi played drums in his songs.

Aurthohin: A mix of words, melody and exceptions :

"Aurthohin" means "meaningless" — but the songs of this band were full of meaning. Their songs were a protest against the inconsistencies of society, introspective sadness, and real-life stories.

The songs had a unique song structure, broken rhythms, and poetic lyricism — which took Bengali band music to new heights.

Before starting his solo career, he worked as a bassist in the bands Warphase and Feelings. In 1993, he left the band "Feelings" and started working on his first solo project "Sumon O Orthaheen". The album was released on Eid 1997. Since then, he has performed under the name "Sumon O Orthaheen".

Band profile:

Sumon: Vocals, Bass and Guitar

TT (Faith): Drums

Sentu (Faith): Bass Guitar

Zubayer: Flute

Adnan: Percussion

Tanmoy: Guitar

Current band members:

Sumon (Vocals, Bass, Guitar)

Mark Don (Drums)

Shishir (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)

Mahan Fahim (Lead Guitar, Acoustic)

Some notable songs:

"Nikrishta"

"Artnad"

"Shudhu To Tumi"

"Anubhabhe Brishtir Shabd"

"Aparadh"

The story called "Besbaba" :

Suman was like a magician with a bass guitar. His style of playing bass was different, slap technique, tapping, riffs, solos — he was unrivaled in everything.

Once upon a time, a saying spread among music lovers:

“Where bass guitar is supposed to be played, he plays a song.”

For this extraordinary skill, his fellow artists and fans gave him the title of “Bass Baba” — that is, the ‘father’ of the bass guitar world.

This name first became popular in the band “Aurthohin”. Suman’s own style, style, and courage to do something new brought him to this status.

Story of struggle :

Not everything was easy in Sumon's life. Life has tried to stop him many times. He has suffered from complex spinal cord disorders, diabetes, and neurological problems for a long time. Since 2011, he has had to undergo 12 surgeries . Sometimes he is confined to a wheelchair, sometimes limited in movement — yet he has not stopped.

During these times, he focused on writing and composing. He transformed suffering into words, and pain into songs. His music has become a symbol of courage, strength, and struggle. In December 2021, he returned to stage performances among fans with a penchant for nothing after five long years, performing shows in Chittagong and Dhaka.

Former bands :

Rock Phantom (1986-1992)

Silence (1990-1992)

Feelings (1990-1993)

Jolly Roger (1993-1994)

Aces (1993-1994)

Words (1995-1996)

Warfare (1996-1999)

Released albums :

Suman and the Worthless (1997)

Kakhnow (1999)

Jadi Kavu (1999)

Ektu Ghum (Rock with Radio Mania)

Olotpalat (Bappa with Rockers)

Swapnogulo Tomar Mat (2002)

Megher Desh (2005)

Boka Manushta (2007)

Az Aseemi (2011)

Prathivavi (2012)

Ma (2013)

Chadar (2013)

Amjanta (2013)

Soul Food Part One (Instrumental Album) (2016)

Bands Album :

Warphase (1998)

Three-dimensional (meaningless) (2000)

Evolution (meaningless) (2001)

In the Procession of the New Day (meaningless) (2002)

Constant (meaningless) (2003)

Unfinished-1 (meaningless) (2008)

Unfinished-2 (meaningless) (2011)

Cancer's Innocent Poem (meaningless) (2016)

conclusion :

Bass Baba Suman has helped Bangladesh bands in a way that is beyond words. He has allowed bands like Artcell and Vive to record songs in his studio without paying them.He has taken Bangladeshi band music to a unique level. And lastly, he said in a show that the band that is in Avoid Rafa will play the rule in Bangladesh. And currently appears so.