“One can't take songwriting as profession in Bangladesh”

Kabir Bakul has a humming career as a lyricist. He has written music for many major singers of India and Bangladesh. He was also part of the print media as head of Bangla daily Prothom Alo's Ananda page for over 12 years. In a recent conversation with the correspondent, the national award-winning songwriter gave insights into his professional persona.

How many songs you have written in your career?

Kabir Bakul: Over 5,000 songs written by me have been recorded. I've been a lyricist for 28 years. In 1988, Ayub Bachchu sang my first song for an album named “Moina”.

When did you come to the spotlight?

Kabir Bakul: In 1991, I wrote several hit songs performed by Khalid, Shuvro Dev, Dolly Sayantoni, Kajal and many other popular singers.

What was your first mega hit song?

Kabir Bakul: The track titled “Keno Ei Nishshongota” was sung by Partho Barua, the lead vocal of band Souls, in 1993. It was a huge hit.

What about your film songs?

Kabir Bakul: Although I wrote songs for audio albums, I dreamt of writing songs for films. I started writing songs for cinema from 1994. First, I won the Producers' Association Award writing song for cinema as best lyricist. Apart from this, I won the National Film Awards four times.

Do you feel lucky professionally?

Kabir Bakul: I feel fortunate to have worked with music composers of yore and contemporary -- like Satya Saha, Subol Das, Alam Khan, Alauddin Ali, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Sheik Sadi Khan, Habib Wahid and Hridoy Khan.

Can one make a go of songwriting as a profession?

Kabir Bakul: Though we do get opportunities, one can't think of it as a profession in Bangladesh. In our country, music composers and songwriters are not judged objectively, while people of the same profession in our neighbouring country, India live a high profile life.

Any regrets as lyricist…

Kabir Bakul: Creative people always have regrets. My personal regret is that I couldn't write songs for celebrated singer Sahanaz Rahmatullah, who has opted out of the profession.