.jpg "Launching party of Night in Bengal, Dilly Meah, Abdul Rob, Mennon Rahman and my beloved teacher late Kondukar Emdadul Hoque Manna sir")
My first job at a clothing factory was as an apprentice in 1981 under the famous promoter Aroj Ali's management, and later in the year, I became a sewing machinist and started earning more money than before, about two hundred pounds a week. I used to work overtime, which made me earn more money, but I also enjoyed the work!
In 1981, I attended an inspiring meeting with Bangladeshi artists in London, one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The gathering featured artists such as Runa Laila, Goni Sorkar, Abdul Jabbar, Indo Mohan Rajbanshi, Sadeque Ali (the Tabla player and son of the late Ustad Mubarak Ali), the late Shefali Ghosh, Fatema Johora, Fakir Alamgir, Baby Naznin, and many more. The event, organised by the renowned promoters late Md Turab Uddin and Md Aroj Ali, became one of the most significant and inspirational showcases of the 80s.
In 1981, I also started my first job as an apprentice at a clothing factory under Aroj Ali’s management. Later that year, I became a sewing machinist and began earning around two hundred pounds a week, which was a substantial increase. I worked overtime, which helped me earn more money, but most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed the work!
In 1983, the factory where I worked was sold to two Greek brothers, Mr. Andrew and Mr. Peter, who ran a company called Dorin of London Ltd. I continued working for them, and the job provided enough income to cover my food, shelter, and ongoing music training, including buying and replacing instruments, as well as paying for my teachers, until 1990.
The factory had a tradition of playing National Radio, along with special records of Indian, Bangladeshi, and Greek music every day. This exposure played a key role in directing me towards fusion music, which became an important influence on my musical journey.
My elder maternal cousin, Yousuf Bhaiya, was part of a local drama group before I arrived, and they even performed in a few stage shows around London and Birmingham.
At times, he would store musical instruments at our house on 39 Princelet Street, which encouraged me to play instruments, particularly the Dhol, when they weren’t around. Additionally, I had the privilege of being the captain of the Royal Bengal football team from 1978 to 1981.
.jpg "Arun Halder, Late Kondukar Emdadul Hoque Manna, Dilly Meah, Mohammed Ali Ana, Suja Miah, Ahmed Ali")
In 1980, we played a match in Birmingham against a Pakistani team, arranged by Mr. John Newbigin OBE, a renowned youth worker. He drove us there in a minibus, accompanied by Caroline Adams, and we listened to songs from the Indian film Qurbani on a portable tape recorder during the journey.
Caroline Adams was a truly remarkable person, someone who offered boundless care and support, especially despite not having children of her own. Her kindness and generosity left an indelible mark on me and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Her love transcended all differences, creating deep, meaningful connections and unwavering support. The love Caroline showed was a force that uplifted and guided people through difficult times, demonstrating the immense power of compassion and selflessness.
John Newbigin is currently the chair of Creative England, which supports creative ideas, talent, and businesses in film, TV, games, and digital media. Along with being a cultural entrepreneur and writer, he is also the chairman of Culture24 and Cinema Arts Network and serves on several boards, including the Battersea Arts Centre, First Light, and the British Council’s advisory board for Arts and Creative Economy.
Furthermore, Mr. Newbigin played a pivotal role in the UK government’s first policies for the creative industries, serving as Special Advisor to the Minister of Culture. His career soared after becoming head of Corporate Relations for Channel 4 Television and executive assistant to Lord David Terence Puttnam. As policy advisor to the Leader of the UK Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, he was responsible for a wide range of issues, including environmental and cultural concerns, among others.
For six years, John Newbigin worked as a youth worker in East London and served as a writer-in-residence for Common Stock Theatre.
His late friend, Caroline Adams—renowned author, youth worker, cultural activist, and co-producer of Hason Raja—along with John’s guidance, inspired us to victory in a football match against a rival team, with a final score of 2-1. After the match, our manager, Amalendu, treated us to his famous mutton chops, which we enjoyed in Birmingham as we celebrated our win. We often practised football at Buxton Street Park, using our coats as makeshift goalposts. John and Caroline, recognising our dedication, provided us with a small, bamboo-sized, mobile aluminium extendable goalpost. Caroline Adams, in particular, treated us as her own children, showing an incredible amount of love and care.
I still remember the early days of 1978 in East London when I sat on the lap of someone who was not my mother — that person was Caroline Adams. After earning her degree in Politics from the University of Kent, Caroline travelled to Calcutta, where she volunteered with the Cathedral Relief Service, providing aid to refugees during the war that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. She organised play facilities for children and, after the conflict, returned to visit many of the families she had met in the newly independent nation.
Caroline was also a close friend of MS. Valentine Harding, a remarkable woman whom I had the privilege of accompanying on the Tabla at Goldsmiths University of London, where she pursued her PhD in music. Ms. Harding, a nurse during the Bangladesh Liberation War, contributed significantly to the Women’s Profile – CLYD, a legacy documenting the vital role of women in the 1971 conflict.
Amalendu Chakraborty, my schoolmate and best friend from Calcutta, became the manager of our football team from 1978 to 1981. The team included players such as Sundor Miah, Yeor Ali, Muhib Rahman, Ana Miah (1), Ana Miah (2), Abdul Shubahan, Debu Chakraborty, Abdul Kadir (1), Abdul Kadir (2), Abdul Korim, Shahar Ali, and many more. From 1982 to 1985, I rejoined the Overseas Youth Organisation (OYO), with Amalendu once again serving as manager. I became the captain, leading a team that included members of the local anti-racist group, such as Aroj Ali, Motin Bhai, Islam Bhai, Amir Ali, and Sunahwar Ali, along with half of our Royal Bengal Football Team and many students from Robert Montefiore Secondary School.
In 1985-1986, our friends came together to form a team called Aldgate United, hiring a trainer from the local professional league. This training came at the cost of twenty-six pounds per hour for two hours of practice every Sunday at Weavers Field, off Bethnal Green Road.
From 1986 to the beginning of 1990, I joined a local organisation in Shoreditch called Weavers Youth Forum(WYF) at 232 Brick Lane, E2 7EB, United Kingdom. Together with the whole team, we built a new squad, and I was honoured to be named the captain. Later, I became an executive member and, eventually, the director and Vice-Chairman of the organisation.
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Who flat was in Scott Street, Brady Street? Is it 36 Codrington House??
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