Munshi Wadud, who was enlisted as a lyricist at Bangladesh Radio in 1972, has written songs featured on many popular Bangla films. He was in the first group of lyricists who were enlisted at Bangladesh Radio as regular artistes. A freedom fighter, Wadud was supposed to complete his HSC in 1971. However, as the Liberation War broke out, Wadud failed to sit for the exam and after the country attained its independence, as a lyricist, he began receiving royalty -- making him the youngest lyricist enlisted at Bangladesh Radio.
Around 1976, he started writing for TV and films -- both scripts and songs. It is undeniable that songs are an integral part of Bangladeshi films, and are a crucial factor for making a film a success. Several film songs written by him have gone on to become popular.
By the time he was pursuing his MA in Bangla at Dhaka University, his rhythmic lyrics had become quite renowned among movie-goers. He had written the songs for much-acclaimed films like, “Parineeta”, “Hangor Nodi Grenade” and “Ghani”. Of some comparatively recent popular films, “E Badhon Jabey Na Chhire” and “Shajghar” are worth mentioning.
Some of his hit songs include “Tomar Chandana Morey Geche ”, “Eki Khela Cholchhe Hardam”, “Modhu Chandrimar Ei Raat Jeno Golpo” and “Chandra Shurja Ager Motoi”.
Renowned Indian artistes Sadhana Sargam, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Babul Supriyo and Shaan have recorded Wadud's songs.
When asked how a lyricist comes up with songs that fit the particular theme and plot of a film, Wadud said: “To put in simple words, the music composers give us [lyricists] the tunes of the songs and we set words to those tunes. We also have to keep the script in consideration.”
However, Wadud said that he has lost much of his enthusiasm for work and is nearly frustrated by the recent prospects of the Bangladeshi film industry. He thinks that most of the recent film songs lack poetic and aesthetic elements as well as exquisite rhythm.
“The beauty of Bangla songs lie in their melody,” he said. In his opinion, the melodies seem to have left Bangla songs, and are no more found, even if searched for. “It's mostly true of the entire film industry. If you look for the basic characteristics that should be in the films, or any work of art, you'll find that they are simply not there,” he regretfully said.