Nagar Baul

Nagar Baul (English: Urban Baul) is a Bangladeshi rock band that was founded in Chittagong in 1977 by Kumar Bishwajit. The band is considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and blues music in the country in Bangladesh. The frontman of the band, James, is referred to as the Guru of Rock as a mark of respect.

History
Nagar Baul started in 1977 and was originally named Feelings and was formed by Kumar Bishwajit. Band members included Ayub Bachchu and James. Ayub Bachchu left the band in 1980.

They released their first album, Station Road. James, lead vocal and guitarist, composed all the tracks, and wrote the lyrics for five of them. Though the album was not a hit, the tracks Ager Jonome, Amai Jete Dao and Rupshagor enjoyed moderate success.

In 1993, they released their second album Jail Theke Bolchhi. This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.

In 1996, they released their third album Nagar Baul. The Daily Star wrote, "Nagar Baul introduced Bangladesh to a whole new way of singing". It had the "classic" and "iconic" song, "Taray Taray Rotiye Debo", based on the poem 'Uttor' by great poet Shamsur Rahman.

In 1998, they released their fourth album Lais Fita Lais.

In 1999, the band was renamed from Feelings to Nagar Baul.

In 2001, their fifth album was released Dushtur Cheler Dol. This was their first album release under the new band name Nagar Baul, named after their album from 1996.

Members
Present members
 * Faruq Mahfuz Anam James — vocals, lead guitars (1983–present)
 * Ahsan Elahi Fanty – drums (1984–present)
 * Sultan Raihan Khan – lead guitars (2008–present)
 * Talukdar Sabbir – bass guitar (2011–present)

Past members
 * Ayub Bachchu – lead guitars (1977–1980)
 * Saidul Hasan Swapan – bass guitar (1987–1990)
 * Saidus Salehin Khaled Sumon – vocals, bass guitar (1990)
 * Pantha Kanai – drums (1999–2000)
 * Khayem Ahmed – keyboards
 * Kumar Bishwajit – lead vocals (1977–1980)
 * Shimul Azhar – bass guitar (2021-2023)
 * Azizur Rahman Tinku
 * Md Imtiaz Ali Zimi
 * Khokhon Chakrabarty – keyboard

Discography

 * "স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987) (Originally known as Feelings)
 * "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
 * "নগর বাউল (Urban Baul)" (1996)
 * "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Ribbon Lace)" (1998)
 * "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001)