Ark (Bangladeshi band)

Ark was formed in 1991 in Dhaka City by keyboardist and vocalist Ashiquzzaman Tulu, when he met guitarist Ponchom, who was playing guitar in a studio.

Ashiquzzaman Tulu, a prominent figure in the Bangladeshi rock music industry in the 1980s and 1990s, who was a founder member of Chime, along with Khalid, Shawkat Ali Emon and Sumon (current vocal of Pentagon). Tulu was the principal composer of Chime. In the late 1980s, after the release of their second album, there was a huge dispute between Chime and Winning, another legendary contemporary band, over the rights to the track "মন কী যে চায়? (What the Heart Wants?)". The song was written, tuned and composed by Haydar Hossain of Winning, and was also included in Winning's debut album. Winning won the rights to the song in a Trial. This episode was detrimental to Chime's reputation and eventually, Ashiquzzaman Tulu was fired.

Frustrated Tulu started his career as a composer, but as a veteran band musician, couldn't live without being in a band. When he met Ponchom and some other musicians, most notably Partha Pratim Majumder, elder brother of Bappa Mazumdar, he formed the band Ark.

The band's first line-up consisted of keyboardist and vocalist Ashiquzzaman Tulu, lead guitarist and vocalist Ponchom , Partha Pratim, lead vocalist Shamim, bassist Ferdous, Mobin and Jagu. This first line-up was without a drummer.

Ark released their first studio album, "মুক্তিযুদ্ধ (Liberation War)", from the record label Sargam Records in 1991. This album featured the songs "সেদিনো আকাশে (That Day In the Sky)" and "হারিকেন লুন্ঠন (Hurricane Lantern)", which was a failure. "সেদিনো আকাশে (That Day in the Sky)" was originally a Chime song composed by Tulu, based on the tune of the theme song of the movie Casablanca.

In late 1991, Ferdous, Mobin and Jagu left the band and went abroad. In 1992, Raja joined Ark as a vocalist and Shishir joined as a bassist. Both were from the band Rock Brigade. They were part of the band when Ark performed at its first concert, arranged by BAMBA at the University of Dhaka on 26 April 1992.

In 1993, Hasan joined Ark as its lead vocalist, having been recommended by his good friend Ponchom. Then Joy from LRB joined Ark as drummer. Ark finally had a complete line-up and started working on their second album. In 1994, Joy left the band and Rezwan, from the band Phantom Lord, replaced him. In late 1994, Shishir left the band to go abroad and was replaced by Sumon as a touring bassist from the band Paper Rhyme. In 1995, Ark signed a record deal with Soundtek for their second studio album. In late 1995, Sumon left the band and was replaced by Bulbul from Prometheus as a touring bassist.

In 1996, Ark released their second studio album, "তাজমহল (Tajmahal)", on Soundtek. The album was a phenomenal success and the band became one of the most popular rock bands of the 1990s. The album featured the songs "সুইটি (Sweety)", "একাকী (Lonely)", "তাজমহল (Tajmahal)", "গুরু (Guru)", "পাগল মন (Mad Heart)" which were all big hits. "Sweety" was the most popular and also the biggest hit in Bangladesh that year, and continues to be a Bangladeshi rock staple. It was their signature song.

In late 1996, Bulbul became a full member of the band as the bassist, and Balam and Jewel joined Ark as guitarists.

In 1997, after the huge success of "তাজমহল (Tajmahal)", Ark signed another record deal with Soundtek for their third studio album. Also in 1997, Ark released their first contributed album, "ধূন", along with Souls, Nagar Baul, LRB, Feedback and Warfaze, on Soundtek. The album featured two songs from Ark "কত রাত (How Many Nights)" and "দূরে বহু দূরে (Far Far Away)".

Ark performed at a blockbuster concert along with Souls, Nagar Baul and LRB which was arranged by Ontor Showbiz at 1997. In late 1997, Rezwan left the band and he was replaced by Tonty as the drummer.

In 1998, Ark released their third studio album, "জন্মভূমি (Birthplace)" on Soundtek. It was a huge success and Ark became one of the top bands in the history of Bangladeshi rock music. The album featured the songs "যারে যা (Go Away)", "এই দূর প্রবাসে (In This Far Foreign Land)" and "Bangladesh", which were all smash hits.

In 1998, after the huge success of "জন্মভূমি (Birthplace)", Ark released their second Contributed album "Stars 2", along with Nova, Obscure, LRB, Chime, Winning on Soundtek. The album featured two songs from Ark "ভুলে গেছি" and "রেশমি জোছনা", but "ভুলে গেছি" was the most successful and the biggest hit song of that year. It also became one of their signature song.

After the huge success of "জন্মভূমি (Motherland)", Ark signed another record deal with Soundtek for their fourth studio album. The band performed their hits regularly at concerts. In 1999, Ark released their second contributed album, "6 Band '99" along with Souls, LRB, Prometheus, Feedback and Warfaze, on Soundtek. The album featured two songs "আয়না (Mirror)" and "মেতে আজ উঠি (Arise Today)".

In 2000, Ark released their fourth studio album, "স্বাধীনতা (Freedom)" on Soundtek. It featured the songs "প্রেমা (Love)", "আর কতো মিথ্যে? (How Many Lies?)" "বন্ধু (Friend)", which were very successful.

In late 2000, after the major success of "স্বাধীনতা (Freedom)", singer Hasan left the band to form a new band called "স্বাধীনতা (Freedom)" along with drummer Tonty.

In late 2002, lead guitarist Pancham also left the band. It was the end of Ark's great journey with its most successful lineup, until their reunion, reformation and relaunch in 2010.

Ashiquzzaman Tulu, while living in Canada was heartbroken when he got the news of Ark breaking up from Hasan and Pancham. He decided to continue his dream band.

He met Autumnal Moon, an extraordinarily talented musician from Khulna. The two reformed Ark and started to work on a new album, released in 2002. On this album, Tulu played keyboards and bass guitar, programmed the drums, and performed the vocals. Moon played lead guitar, harmonica, and various percussion instruments, along with vocals. The lyrics and tunes were quite different from old Ark songs, as Moon's style was very different from Hasan, Pancham, or Tulu, who were the principal songwriters of Ark's 1990s era. The songs "না না নারী (No, No, Women!)", "Risky Class Nine", and "ভুলে কী গেছো? (Have You Forgotten)" were very well received. However, Tulu returned to Canada once again to his job in CBC, and the journey of Ark finally came to an end until 2010.

In late 2010, Ark announced that they had reformed the band and would return to concerts that year. After 10 years, Syed Hasanur Rahman finally rejoined Ark as the lead vocalist, but Ponchom did not return. The band's current line-up consists of lead vocalist Hasan, lead guitarist Tito, bassist Sohel, keyboardist Tinku Azizur Rahman and drummer Rumi Rahman. The band started performing regularly again at various concerts.

Ark performed at the "Old is Gold" concert along with Nova, Souls, Nagar Baul, LRB, Miles, Feedback and Warfaze. This concert was arranged by Sufiana at the Bangladesh Army Stadium on 16 November 2012.