Mosiur Rahman Rinku

We know it was a long time back, but surely the fans would want to know, how was your CloseUp1 experience?

I finished 5th in CloseUp1 back in 2005. To be frank, it was the turning point of my life, and of course my career. Ever since my performance of the song “Nari Hoye Lojja Te Laal”, I everyone took notice and I haven't had to look back since.

How do you feel, now that so many people like and appreciate your songs?

It truly is an amazing feeling. Growing up as a kid in the Naogaon district of Rajshahi, I rarely had a thought about being so much appreciated by so many fans. I am humbled that the fans have loved me so much.

So how have your albums performed so far? How many albums do you have?

My first album was “Baul Mon” in 2006, followed by “Kanar Haat”. Then came “Gaan Pagla”, “Fokir Lalon Bole”, “Hawar Gari”, “Bibagi”, “Jogotbondhu”, “Baulbeshe Rabithakur”, “Onuraager Manush”, “Yaa Ilahi” and “Bhaab Nogor” to make a total of 11 albums. I also have performed in around 20 mixed albums.

So what are some of your personal favourites?

“Baul Mon”, “Poran Pakhi” and “Pagla Ghonta” are some of the songs that are very close to my soul.

You seem to focus exclusively on the Folk genre. Why not focus on modern songs?

Folk songs talk about the soul and sing the songs of life, and I'm committed to the root of folk songs so I plan on singing these songs for the rest of my life. That's the reason I'm not seen in more modern songs, they don't draw me in as much as the folk genre does.

What are some of the new works that you are doing? Any exciting plans for the future?

I'm currently busy with Kazi Shuvo working on a duet album titled “Poush-Fagun er Gaan”. I will also be performing in South Korea after a few weeks, so I'm busy practicing for that as well. As for the future, I have plans of doing a project with 100 songs by Fakir Lalon. I have already recorded 32 of them, and plan to come out with an album featuring the popular as well as the unheard of Lalon songs, so that the fans get to enjoy them.