A Chat With Mahmud Khurshid
To begin with, can you tell us which of your lyrics brought you under the limelight?
I have become popular among the listeners after the band Miles performed my song "Dhiki Dhiki", "Firiye Dao", "Jala Jala" and "Shopno Bhongo". Besides these, the songs by Warfaze titled "Dhup Chaya" and "Asha" were also prominent in my career.
How did you get involved with writing lyrics?
It all began when I was kid; I used to write rhymes since then. When I was in class 9, I wrote a poem in the Shishu Academy magazine. It was my first publication. Later on, my poems were published in other well-known print media. My first lyric was "Tumi Choley Geley" for the band named Active. My journey with miles started with the song "Ek Jhor Eshey Bhengey Diye Gelo".
Who were your inspirations when you had to pen down lyrics?
I am highly inspired by Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Apart from them, I admire Pulak Bandyopadhyay, Nazrul Islam Babu, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar.
Could you name the notable contributions you have made throughout your lyrical career?
Well, apart from the ones I've mentioned before, they are "Jhol Moley Bikeley", "Tumi Nai", "Parina Bojhatey", "Mishti Hashi", "Bishshomoy Jatra", "Tumi Shudhu Tumi", "Moyuri Mon", "Dekha Hobey", "Shopno Jatra", "Bondhure" and "Chol Chol Egiye Chol".
How does it feel to have a career for a quarter of a century?
It is quite difficult to explain the feeling in words; it is something to be felt. I feel blessed to be admired and appreciated by so many people. I am rather grateful that even after 25 years, there is an essence in my lyrics and people can still feel it after such a long time.
Could you shed some light on your recent endeavours?
Lately I have been busy working on the song "Joy Houk" for the band Feedback. It will be released very soon. I have also written a song on behalf of the Royal Bengal tigers, titled "Baagh Amader Gorbo". The other songs I have recently written are, "Moho", "Thak Shey Kotha Aj Na Boli"and "Nijhoom Akaash".
Do you intend to publish any book about the song you have written?
Yes, I do. By the upcoming Boi Mela (Book Fair), I expect to publish a book with all the songs I have selected from my lengthy career. I also have plans to publish another book on 'Brand Marketing' in Bangla as there aren't any such books available.
Could you share something about yourself which is unknown to the general public?
Apart from being a lyricist, I also host a business program and I have also done an advertisement for Berger.
Interviewed by Zahid Akbar and Narrated by Minam Haque