Azam Khan remains a towering figure in the history of Bangladeshi band music — affectionately known to fans as the Pop Guru. A freedom fighter during the Liberation War of 1971, he took up music after the war and formed his own band, Uccharon. Following his untimely death on 5 June 2011, the band ceased its activities. Now, after a hiatus of 14 years, Azam Khan’s dream project is making a comeback with renewed energy and vision.
According to a press release, the revival of Uccharon is a collaborative effort involving Azam Khan’s family, the band members, and the event management company Cool Exposure. A tripartite agreement was signed on 8 November in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, marking the formal relaunch. Present at the signing ceremony were Azam Khan’s daughter Orni Khan, band leader Dulal Joha, sound engineer Shovon, manager Ejaz Rahman, and Ershadul Haque, the Chief Executive Officer of Cool Exposure.
The journey of Uccharon began in 1972 under Azam Khan’s leadership. That same year, his songs “Eto Shundor Duniyae Kichhui Robe Na Re” and “Char Kalema Shokhi Debe” aired on Bangladesh Television, catapulting him to fame. He later captivated audiences with iconic numbers such as “Ore Saleka Ore Maleka”, “Relliner Oi Bastite”, “Asi Asi Bole Tumi Ar Ele Na”, “Alal O Dulal”, and “Hariye Gechhe Khunje Pabo Na”, among many others.
Under the terms of the new agreement, all copyrights and ownership of Azam Khan’s name, image, and creative works will remain with his family. Cool Exposure will oversee promotional activities, royalty management, and concert operations.
Speaking about the relaunch, band leader Dulal Joha said:
“This agreement isn’t just about Uccharon’s return — it’s a historic step towards reintroducing Azam Khan’s musical legacy to the world. Our aim is to bring his music to international audiences, beyond Bangladesh’s borders.”
The current Uccharon line-up features Dulal Joha (vocals and rhythm guitar), Peyaru Khan (vocals and percussion), Sekandar Ahmed Khoka (bass guitar), Partha Majumdar (lead guitar), Prem (keyboards), and Bappy (drums). According to band sources, Uccharon is preparing for several live concerts both at home and abroad next year, and will also appear in a number of live television performances later this month.
Azam Khan released his first audio album, Ek Jug (One Era), in 1982, and went on to produce a total of 17 albums. Beyond music, he was also passionate about sports and acting — playing first-division cricket for Gopibagh Friends Club between 1991 and 2000, starring in the 2003 Bengali film Godfather, appearing in television commercials, and even working as a swimming instructor.