Kalim Sharafi

Kalim Sharafi (8 May 1924 – 2 November 2010 ) was a Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer. He joined at Indian independence movement. He gave his ideas in several publications regarding politics, culture, and Tagore. He is regarded as one of the best Rabindra Sangeet singers in the subcontinent.

Early life Sharafi was born in Birbhum district of West Bengal on 8 May 1924. He was the only son of three children. He had two younger sisters. He was from a pir family, a tradition against music, and they came from Sonargaon. He was first influenced by his father who was a singer. His passion for music blossomed at an early age as he came across with renowned artists of pre-independent India. He said, "As a child I used to find Rabindranath's compositions naturally melodic and heart touching and would grasp them easily".

As a result of his beliefs in communism, he was banned from the state-run radio Bangladesh Betar, which hurt his musical career.

Career Sharafi co-directed the 1962 film Sonar Kajol along with Zahir Raihan. Sharafi was a program director at Pakistan Television Corporation between 1964 and 1967. From 1969 and 1972, he was general manager of the Pakistan Gramophone Company Ltd. Later in 1963, he married Noushaba Khatun, a then faculty member at the department of psychology of the University of Dhaka. From the two marriages, he had one son and four daughters in total.

Honors Sharafi was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1985 and Independence Day Award in 1999. He received the first Rabindra Award 2010 for his contribution in promoting and preserving Rabindra Sangeet.