The Bangladeshi band music fraternity lost one of its most influential architects with the passing of Faruq Ahmed Badal on 2 May 2026. As the driving force behind the iconic recording studio and production house, Sargam, Badal played an indispensable role in launching the careers of numerous bands and solo artists during the 1980s and 1990s. Offering a retrospective look at his immense contribution, Foad Nasser Babu, a composer, music director, and founding member of the pioneering band Feedback, shared his historical reflections on Badal’s legacy.
Table of Contents
The Genesis of Feedback’s Audio Career
The initial introduction between Foad Nasser Babu and Faruq Ahmed Badal took place at Babu’s residence, arranged by a childhood friend named Masud. Upon meeting, Badal directly proposed publishing a full-length studio album for Feedback. At that specific juncture in the mid-1980s, the domestic market possessed very few published Bengali pop or rock albums; in fact, Feedback had only ever recorded one or two Bengali songs, which were produced exclusively for Bangladesh Television (BTV).
The concept of compiling a comprehensive 12-track album initially caused some hesitation within the band. However, moved by Badal’s distinct politeness, earnestness, and motivational spirit, Babu agreed to the venture. The technical execution proved manageable, as the members of Feedback were already highly experienced session musicians well-versed in studio recording and production mechanics.
Key Historical Discography Under Sargam
The commercial daring of Faruq Ahmed Badal and the creative output of Feedback and associated artists resulted in several definitive musical milestones:
| Album Title | Release Year | Primary Artist / Group | Cultural & Commercial Impact |
| Feedback (Self-Titled) | 1985 | Feedback | Debut studio release; achieved monumental public popularity. |
| Ullash | 1987 | Feedback | Follow-up album; consolidated the band’s mainstream success. |
| Mela | 1990 | Feedback | Completed a highly successful trilogy under the Sargam label. |
| Mayabi E Rate | N/A | Sumona Haq | Critically acclaimed pop album completed via Badal’s perseverance. |
| Koto Je Khunjechi Tomay | N/A | Niloy Das | Landmark solo project featuring musical arrangements by Babu. |
A Radical Shift in the Music Industry
The release of Feedback’s self-titled debut in 1985 turned into a massive commercial success, paving the way for two subsequent classic albums under the Sargam banner: Ullash (1987) and Mela (1990). Babu recalled that despite being slightly younger than many of the musicians he worked with, Badal always exhibited profound professional respect for artists. He famously abstained from imposing personal opinions or commercial demands on the genre or direction of the music, choosing instead to celebrate whatever the artists created organically.
Furthermore, it was due to Badal’s direct determination and institutional support that Babu was able to successfully complete Sumona Haq’s Mayabi E Rate and Niloy Das’s Koto Je Khunjechi Tomay. Babu acknowledged that these two specific albums remain central to his enduring public identity as a music director today.
Prior to Sargam’s entry, the local audio market was dominated by established entities such as Disco, Titupeera, and Jahid Electronics. The arrival of Sargam, however, marked a major historical milestone. It provided a dedicated platform for a fresh wave of musicians and served as the true pioneer of the band album format—a commercial risk that very few contemporary publication houses possessed the courage to undertake.
The Unspoken Departure of a Visionary
Reflecting on Badal’s character, Babu described him as an exceptionally supportive, philanthropic, and noble-hearted individual. Upon hearing of his death, Babu immediately thought of him as a “quiet revolutionary” who had made a quiet exit from the world.
In his later years, Badal chose to leave Bangladesh to live abroad. Babu noted that the underlying reasons or grievances that prompted his emigration remained entirely unknown to his musical contemporaries, meaning those final, unspoken thoughts departed with him. Babu concluded his remarks by wishing for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Badal’s soul.