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.........

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History of Bangladesh Band Music:

Bangladesh band history starts from 1960. The first band of Bangladesh is called Bangladesh. The founder of the band is Mr.Rumi Omer. He was an ex football player. Then many bands formed. It is hard to know some bands succeed and others fall short. It was a handful of self-taught musicians that got together to create original sounds and jump-started the rock scene like never before. Their efforts resulted in the birth of the ‘Bangla Rock Scene’. Among the pioneering groups in the late ‘60s were iconic bands like Windy Side of Care(Rafique Mazhar Islam Saju and Rafi Omar) (Ex-Iolites), The Lightnings, Rambling Stones, Ugly Phases and Insex Dui, they eventually became the veterans of band music. They didn’t have the privilege of expensive instruments or sound systems, which the present rockers now take for granted.

In 1963, Zinga was the first Orchestra Band in Bangladesh formed in Chittagong by a young group student of Chittagong College. Zinga brought a new flavour in Bangla Music. They started playing popular Tagore songs, Nazrul songs and hit movie songs in western Orchestra style. Zinga is the first band who used western instruments of Drums, Guitar, and Piano. Within a short time, Zinga got the popularity; also they had to face criticism from the conservative people. But Shafat (Band Leader & Vocal) believed that criticism should be taken positively and novelty never goes without criticism.

Shafat’s two teenage sisters Najma & Shehla Parveen joined the band in 1964. Both Najma & Shehla not only had outstanding vocals but were also skilled of playing Piano, Bongo and Drums. It is noted that they were well-trained by Shafat himself. Najma & Shehla immediate published several hit songs: Fule Fule Dhaka, Duti Mon, Shagor Tire and Najma’s evergreen hit song Tomari Jibone.

Azam Khan(Uchharon)The Legend, The Imaginative Composer, he inspired musician and lanky bearded lyricist ignited something that caught the attention of plenty of listeners. He was the hero of the 70’s making his music speak the universal language of bringing one’s inner feelings to life with tunes. He is called the Pioneer of Bangladeshi rock music. The Akhand Brothers(Lucky and Happy) created the hype in the music industry with their straight-down-the-line magnetic songs around early and late 70’s. Happy Akhand’s Abar Alo Elo Je Shondha is a milestone and probably is one of the famous songs ever produced. His premature death was a big blow to all the musicians who were influenced by Happy’s passion for music and had now lost a pioneering figure of Bangla pop music. His contemporaries include great icons such as late Firoze Shahi, Ferdaus Wahid and Fakir Alamgir. Firoze Shahi was the traditional mystic Sufi singer, Ek Seconder Ni Vorosha, Fakir Alamgir used to folk song, O Sokhina Gesos Kina Vuila Amare. Ferdaus Wahid was the most dazzling of the quartet. With his funky printed shirts, bell bottom trousers and large sunglasses, he brought in a disco element to his songs.

In the old bands there are many bands that are still going very strong. There is Souls(1970), Feedback(1976), Miles(1978), Renaissance, LRB, Feelings later Nagar Baul(the City Bird), Waves and many other bands who were very well since they started. Miles and Waves were more underground. Souls was perking up to be a mainstreamer and soon got themselves a record deal. In 1980, they released their debut album Super Souls, which was one of the first albums to be released by a music group in Bangladesh. Not only they were popular for over a decade, but also served to launch popular artists like Ayub Bachchu(who created LRB)and solo pop performers Tapan Chowdhury and Kumar Bishwajit .

Feedback absolutely ruled the `80s era with their album Ullash and Mela. Everywhere one would hear Maqsoodul Haq`s immortal refrain: ``Bashonti rong shari pore lolonara hete jay``. It was from mid `80s to early `90s that hard rock started getting immensely popular. With the likes of Miles, LRB(1991), Feelings and Ark, the definition of rock became more versatile to the listeners. While Feelings were fusing rock, Feedback, Miles, LRB, and Ark were more into mainstream pop/rock. The release of Feedback, Miles, LRB gave tremendous hit albums wowing the audiences. Sumon of Aurthohin best describes the era of metal music: ``It was around 1986 when Miles presenting hard rock in Dhaka. One fine day my elder brother came home and announced that there was a band, which was performing songs of Iron Maiden. It was very difficult to believe. But then I witnessed it myself in the next concert. It was mind blowing to see them covering several numbers of Iron Maiden and they did very well indeed! The band was called Rock Strata followed by another big gun Warfaze(1984). Different Touch were a popular in the late `80s and early `90s with their melodic tunes with several hit songs like `Sraboner Meghgulo`. Nova(1986) is a Hard Rock, Soft Rock Band. Nova released seven albums till now.

The early `90s proved to be a blast for the heavy metal scene. ``Mixed album Hooray was back then a huge inspiration and boost for many celebrated bands from today``. Remarked Shakib of Cryptic Fate, followed by mega hit albums of Warfaze and Rock Strata. Around that time there were whispers of another band doing heavy melody – influenced rock songs that had that larger than life sound, later resulting into two consecutive hit albums. Winning was the name on everyone`s lips as long as their music was alive. Unfortunately the band broke up. Micro, Monitor and Digital bands were also popular at this time.

in 1993, Sumon leaving Warfaze, along with Piklu from Rocksrtata(after the band broke up) and Jolly Roger(Band) tagged along to start the same journey under a new name Aurthohin(1993). The band finally met its heart and soul. From 1993, we heard of the rise of metal bands such as Cryptic Fate, Maestria, Dethrowa and PsychoDeth. These bands used to perform great underground shows. Shironamhin(1996) still now a popular band. Around 1998 that Koprophilia, Clovermind and Spanking Monkeys from the alternative side came into existence. Suddenly most of the bands broke up again. Only Cryptic Fate survived! Around 1999, some bands came in the music scenario. Artcell(ex-Tantrik), Metal Maze, Migraine, Black, Wire, Nemesis with some more bands surfacing.

Now Bangladesh has huge numbers of bands. There are new bands coming up and some bands are very popular amongst the youngsters of our country. They are Prometheous, Dolchhut, Obscure, Chime, Beduin, Bortoman, Dour, Dreek, Eclipse, Mechanix, Pentagon, Powersurge, Durbin, Arbovirus, Aashor, Breach, DNA, Fulbanu`s Revenge, Kral, Kronic, Triloy, Reborn, Stentorian, Shunno, yaatri, Bangla, and many more. The quality and variation in band music of Bangladesh is exploring.

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