Three hours' notice and off to Bandarban: singer Masha climbs Saka Haphong

Singer Masha Islam loves to travel. Whenever she gets a little free time, she heads out into nature, as her social media followers well know. Alongside her music, a new dimension was added to her travels by DW Travel's vlog on Bangladesh, aired last August, in which Masha was a co-presenter in the German outlet's series.

After that programme ended, before the long Puja holiday her mind was again restless to get away. A close friend was going trekking in Bandarban, and Masha's heart was also set on the hills. But her plans matched no one else's. Then something happened that can only be called cinematic.

The close friend got stuck with urgent work. He phoned Masha and said she could go in his place if she wished. It was five in the afternoon. The Bandarban bus would leave at eight at night — only three hours in hand, and a meeting at six in the evening in between. Finishing everything, thinking "what is life for", Masha slung her backpack over her shoulder and set off. A different kind of expedition began with a group of strangers.

The destination this time was Saka Haphong, regarded unofficially as the country's highest peak, on a four-day expedition. Masha said, "Since I confirmed as the last member, my seat was at the very back of the bus. You can imagine — a full roller-coaster journey. We reached Alikadam in Bandarban in the morning. After breakfast, we took dry food and our real journey began. We trekked all day and reached Nicholas Para at night. Staying the night, we started walking again. On the morning of the third day we climbed Saka Haphong." There was quite a crowd on the summit in the holiday season. But forgetting fatigue and crowds, Masha will long remember the sunrise from the hill.

For the young singer, trekking is really about challenging herself — a hostile environment, no proper food, no place to change clothes, no toilet, and the pressure of walking continuously. Masha said, "Every moment of the four days of trekking was challenging. Because all the time you feel you cannot go on. Yet you have to keep going. When you finally reach the summit, that joy has no comparison. Such an expedition tests your mental strength at every moment."

On this tour Masha suddenly became part of a travel group, knowing no one beforehand. That experience, too, was wonderful. She said, "Everyone in the group was very supportive. Four beautiful days passed. Many there were my fans. Everyone requested songs. I would sing one part, others another. After two days the bonding grew stronger. Not only in our group — many had travelled during the holiday. Many of them were my fans. Many were surprised to see me: 'Apu, you have come too!'"

Another big challenge of the whole journey was being outside network coverage. Masha said that staying away from a life full of notifications is a joy, though family members worry too. In the end she returned safely, which made her happy.

Asked whether closeness to nature influences her music, Masha said, "Travel enriches artistes. So many stories one comes to know! These stories work as inspiration. From such a story we may take an idea and create something, right? Travel actually enriches the artistic self."

Alongside travel and presenting, Masha is continuing her music. The song "Chole Jete Jete" from the Chirkutt film, released during Durga Puja, drew much discussion on social media. A new album is coming; one song, "Shraboni Rod", has already been released, and the second, "Foringer Chhol", will come soon. After "Bonolota Express", Masha wants to continue acting alongside singing. She believes that since many kinds of films are now being made, with a little more preparation she can work in both media.

Speaking of her interest in travel, Masha said she has long wished to start travel vlogs on her own YouTube channel. But because of her busy work schedule, it has not happened yet.