The late Kumar Samit Roy was by far the most prolific composer of Chakma modern music. Most of his songs were composed in present-day Rangamati, the picturesque capital of the Chakma people in southern Bangladesh. Though his princely childhood  home was submerged by the infamous Kaptai Dam, its’ surroundings are ever-present in his simple but thought-provoking lyrics.

Though he began singing in the 1970s, his song-writing talents came to a head in the mid-to-late 1980s and he produced magnificent pieces like “Gazho faghondi zunan zekke ude”, “Oi degochni chengi duar ziyot agey reserve bazar”, and “Moan mura sora gang felei zangor loi”.  

He was self-taught and his songs reflect the deep affection for the way of life of the romantic Chakma people, which he perceived was getting lost forever. Besides himself his songs were first sung by Rupayan Dewan, Uttam Dewan, Devasish Roy (Raja), Sujan Dewan, Joyoti Roy and Sivasish Roy. The principal songwriter of Genkhuli passed away in 2008 and his songs continue to be sung by various artists in the region and abroad.  

Let us hope that you’ll enjoy his songs.

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Chakma Melodies
in Harmonica
by DevasishWangza
( album 2005 ) .
Listen some
of K.S melodies
in there >>

Debu studio in Rangamati

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