Taposh & Munny - The Power Couple
Kaushik Hossain Taposh and Farzana Munny – these two individuals are responsible for reviving the music industry with Bangladesh's premiere music channel, Gaan Bangla TV. At a time where there were concerns about the state and future of the music industry, 'Wind of Change' blew away the audience with its refreshing presentation of Bangla songs, becoming a sensation overnight. The power couple talks about the latest season of the critically acclaimed program, their views on the Bangladeshi music industry and much more in this exclusive interview!
It can be said that you have revived Bangladeshi music with Wind of Change. Was that your initial goal when you started the program?
Taposh: Our primary goal is to take Bengali music to an international platform. We have fought for our language and it is highly respected all over the world, but we felt that our music was not represented enough. I wanted all the listeners, musicians and casual audiences to regard Bengali songs as something unique and beautiful, like it deserves to be.
Munny: When we started the program, we wanted to show how much potential Bengali songs had if treated right, and I think we have been able to live up to our own expectations. I am very happy with the way Wind of Change has been loved throughout the country, and there is still a long way to go.
Taposh, you have worked with both established and new faces in Wind of Change. Who do you prefer working with, younger artists or established names?
Taposh: It is definitely fun to work with newer artists; it gives me a lot of joy. However, I would say without a doubt that I love working with senior artists purely because of the love and adoration that they give me. I had the fortune of working with the great Bari Siddiqui before his unfortunate demise, and he had told me that he had complete trust in me and the way I directed music and was willing to sing according to however I composed the renditions. It is moments like these that bring me great joy and honor.
There has been a lot of talk about the direction that Bengali music was heading. What is your take on that?
Taposh: I think there is no need to actually worry about it, as it has a great future. Yes, it can be said that older songs were getting alienated to the younger audience. However, we have done our best to rectify this situation and make it more accessible to younger folks.
Munny: Look, times will change and we will have to adapt to that, and there is no working around it. People all over the world are turning away from their television screens and on to social media. Mind it, this is exactly how people from more than a hundred countries have listened to Wind of Change.
What are the attractions for the new seasons of Wind of Change?
Munny: We are as ambitious as ever. We are filming seasons 3 and 4 together, and 35 musicians from all over the world are playing. The countries include Armenia, Chile, Estonia, Hungary, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. 40 songs will be filmed. We have high hopes for the new season of Wind of Change.
What is your future plan regarding Wind of Change and Gaan Bangla TV?
Taposh: We just want to keep on providing our audience quality content. I am grateful for the support that we have received and I would like to thank everyone who watches our channel and shows. We are currently working under the theme of #musicforpeace and it is to promote an aura of love and peace through music.
Interviewed by Rafi Hossain