Zinga was the first Orchestra Band in Bangladesh.

The band formed in 1963 in Chittagong by a group of young students of Chittagong College.

Zinga started experimenting by mixing Eastern Music in Western style and made Bangla Music a new taste of fresh breath. Zinga started playing Popular Tagore songs, Nazrul songs and movie songs in Western Orchestra style. This group of young students from Bangladesh were among the first in the country begin to play Western instruments-Drums,Guitar, Piano and modernizing  Bangla Tunes.
People embraced this novelty in the open arms and Zinga band had no trouble in winning the audience's heart. Of course, Zinga faced much criticism from the conservative audience as well. But Shafaat believed that Innovation never goes without criticism and the criticism should be viewed positively because it shows that the change has created an impact.

It was the era of Rock & Roll as Elvis made his debut in the Western world.  Inspired by that Shafaat dreamt of a New Era in Bangla Music World. He soon began writing modern songs and Zinga took a leap forward from Orchestra tunes to create, POP Bangla songs. It was in 1964, Shafaat’s two teenage sisters Najma & Shehla Parveen joined the group. Both Najma & Shehla not only had outstanding vocals, but was also talented of playing Piano, Bongo and the Drums. And why not they grew up, got trained by Shafat himself.

Najma & Shehla soon produced several hit songs: Fule Fule Dhaka, Duti Mon, Shagor Tire and Najma’s smash hit "Tomari Jibone". Najma’s evergreen hit "Tomari Jibone" was produced by EMI Pakistan record label. The album was a huge success in the 1966. In 1965, Zinga was the first broadcasted band of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) performs TV show.

During this time Zinga moved to Dhaka from Chittagong and started performing on Radio, TV and stage with their popular songs. The band slowly built up the three sisters and brother to be dominated. Most of the old members slowly faded away some left behind in Chittagong and Zinga brought in new members in the late 60s to early 70s. Early 70s Shafaat wife Nighat Zinga was the new family member.

During the war of independence in 1971, Shafaat wrote and composed dozens of patriotic songs that included ‘Naam Na Jana koto Ful "," Ektoo Hethai Pothik Darao ", Ora Bole Bir shohidher rokto" "Tumi Daak Diey gele".

Zinga recorded these songs from their homes living room and these songs were broadcasted by Shadhin Bangla Radio during the war and inspired many freedom fighters for freedom and give birth to an independent nation of Bangladesh.

Zinga also gave birth to noted singers like Kaderi Kibria & Linu Billah at this time, as he began her music career under the Shafaat’s mentoring. Kaderi Kibria (The stage name given by Shafaat) took on the popular Tagore songs and sang them with Zinga's Modern Orchestra style. Linu Billah started later and began his career in the modern Bangla songs. Others were Jalal Abedin, Nazrul Islam, Pomi, and many others. Billah departed Zinga to explore their individual music careers. Zinga was it only with family-oriented four members: Najma, Shehla, Nighat & Shafaat. Not to mention Shafaat brought in his two children Shayan Ali & Shazia Narmeen in the TV show "Murchona" Produced by Abdullah Al Mamun. Zinga wanted to include the youngsters & children as their audience as well and started Nursery Rhyme song in their TV programs to attract youngsters. Then Shayan, Shazia & Najma’s son Bobby became part of Zinga.

In 1977, Zinga brought under their wings several musicians for recordings and stage performances. It is then noted musician / singer / today as "Feedback" Members Piaru Khan, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Sheikh Ishtiaq, Fuad Naser Babu joined and produced super hit songs "Musafir Tumi", "Hoorray Hoorray", "Shanbadik Shadhu" "Sorry". Zinga also started to perform in BangoBhaban State & Presidnetial shows for distingusihed foreign presidents and VIP delegates.

Zinga appeared only once a year in the BTV special Musical show and created record viewing figures for these spectacular shows.
In the late 70s & 80s, Zinga had already become a common name in every household and conquered millions heart with their POP songs. During this era, Zinga gave inspiration to other noted POP singers of Bangladesh namely Azam Khan, Ferdous Wahid, Late Firoz Shai.

By the late 70s and early 80s, Zinga completely turned into family based musical band and was often compared to the famous bands in the West like BeeGees, The Beatles, Abba and Boney M.

In 1990, Zinga produced its smash hit song "Majhi Bhai" after the famous tune "Lambada".  Zinga performed this song in a special TV show produced by Sheik Riazuddin Badsha. The program was broadcasted before the FIFA World Cup started. The program had all the leading bands of Bangladesh (Feedback, Miles, Souls, Chime) performed and Zinga appeared the last with Majhi Bhai and instantly debuted the hit song. This was the Zinga’s last and most memorable appearance in BTV.

Zinga always there to enchant their music-hungry fans with innovative and novelty refused to be the victim of corruption and chaos. As BTV officials demanded money under the table to broadcast their shows, Zinga decided to back away with conscious dignity and honor that they truly deserved. Not many people were aware of this and wondered what happened Zinga.
Zinga kept on the production of original songs and went on various Video competitions overseas under the Shafaat’s own record label Ipsha Record Ltd.  Zinga appeared in Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and represented Bangladesh POP music and brought home glorious awards.
In 1991, Zinga also appeared live in London to a sold out show of over 1,000 audiences. The two-hour show was a big hit amongst the UK Bangladeshi community.
In 1992 Zinga slowed, Najma Zaman Zinga’s main vowel moved to the USA. In 1993 Shayan moved to the USA, and Zinga was absent within thier fans for a few years. 1997 Shafaat Ali the revolutionary musician, songwriter and singer, died. But his music remained with his family.

In 1998, Zinga Reunited in Chicago USA and has since been reincarnated their music keeping Shafaat’s dream alive.........

Posted in: Shafaat.,Zinga