Gazi Mazharul Anwar

Gazi Mazharul Anwar is a Bangladeshi film director, producer, lyricist, poet, screenplay writer, freedom fighter, music director and dialogue writer. He is widely considered as the greatest Bangladeshi lyricist of all time and one of the greatest lyricists in the world history alongside Gulzar, Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Elvis Presley. He has earned the prestigious National Film Award for best lyricist a record 5 times: 1992, 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2003 .^[1] He participated in the 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh. He worked as a lyricist in the "Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra" in 1971. He later worked with Sabina Yasmin and helped her establish as the biggest name in Bangladeshi playback singing. He has written over 21,000 songs in his career spanning almost five decades. He has written the highest number of songs in the world music history. He has written uncountable Bengali hit film songs. He has directed and produced some commercially and critically acclaimed films.

Early Life and Education

He was born in the village Taleswar, Doudknandi of Comilla district, Bangladesh. After completion his graduation, this veteran poet and lyricist introduced his career with the then Radio Pakistan as Lyrist since 1964.

Career

1960's

Gazi started his career as a lyricist in Radio Pakistan as a lyricist. Bangladesh film industry started its journey in 1956. But until the 1960s, it was not so prominent. Gazi started his career as a lyricist in the Dhallywood film industry in 1965. He wrote songs for some films directed by Zahir Raihan. Kacher Dewal(1965), Behula(1966), Dui Bhai(1968) etc. were among them. He had written script, screenplay, dialogue for numerous films in the 1960s. Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan until 1971, so it produced Urdu films also. Gazi had written some Urdu songs also in those films. Gazi stated in an interview with 'The Daily Star' that in his initial days, he got major works from Zahir Raihan. He praised Zahir saying that he was very advanced comparing his contemporaries. In 1968, Zahir asked him to pen 7 songs for that film within only 2 days. He found it very difficult, but tried to keep his promise. Finally he completed so and amazed Zahir by writing those 7 songs not only in 2 days, but in 2 hours only.^[2]

1970's

In 1970, the greatest Bangladeshi film ever Jibon Theke Neya was released. Gazi wrote the songs of that film. "E Khacha Bhangbo Ami", sung by Khan Ataur Rahman became hit. Another song "Eki Sonar Aloy", sung by Sabina Yasmin became a massive hit. It is considered as the best ever Bangladeshi film song. In 1971, the historic battle of Bangladesh's independence against Pakistan took place. The artistes of Bangladesh as well India also joined the movement through cultural protests. 'Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro' was established for that purpose. Numerous songs protesting Pakistani aggressions and glorifying Bangladeshi freedom fighters' strength and contribution had been written by Anwar Parvez, Govind Haldar and Gazi Mazharul Anwar. He wrote the evergreen patriotic songs "Ektara Tui Desher Kotha","Ek Nodi Rokto Periye","Ekbar Jete Dena", each of the three songs were sung by Shahnaz Rahmatullah . The songs raised the country by a storm and also cemented the career of Shahnaz. He also wrote "Joy Bangla Banglar Joy","Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh","Ek Sagor Rokter Binimoye".^[3] "Joy Bangla" is the theme song for Awami League and "Ek Sagor Rokter" is supposedly the best patriotic song in Bangladesh's music history. It was later used in the 1972 film, Ora Egaro Jon. In 1972, he wrote the song "Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy" in the film Aponjon. In 1973, he wrote very popular "Monero Ronge Rangabo" in the film Masud Rana. In 1974, he penned the alltime hit song "Ganeri Khatay Sworolipi Likhe". Runa Laila sang the song. It was her first Bangla song and became so hit that Runa had become a household name in entire Bangladesh. In 1974, he wrote songs for the patriotic film Alor Michil. Its songs such as-"Dukkho Korona" (Abdul Jabbar) and "Ei Prithir Pore" (Sabina Yasmin) are alltime hits in Bangladesh. He had written numerous chartbuster songs for Sabina Yasmin in the 1970s such as "O Amar Rosiya Bondhure","Ei Prithibir Pore","Eki Sonar Aloy","Monero Ronge Rangabo","Osru Diye Lekha" etc. that made her the greatest singer in Bangladesh's history.

1980's

In the 1980s, he wrote some unforgettable songs. In 1982, he wrote lyrics for the films Rajnigandha, Ronger Manush, Bhat De, Desh Pardesh. For the film 'Rajnigandha', he wrote "Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto" (Sabina Yasmin) became a major hit. He wrote "Jeona Saathi" (Sabina Yasmin) for Desh Pardesh and "Hayre Manush Rongin Fanus" for Ronger Manush. The latter fetched National Film Award for Andrew Kishore. "Sobai To Bhalobasa Chai" (Andrew Kishore) was a thrashing hit song, penned by him. "Dhonyo Hoyechi Ami","Koto Sadhonay Emon Bhagyo Mele","E Jibone Tumi Ogo Ele", sung by Sabina Yasmin became evergreen hits.^[4] In 1984, he wrote the songs of 'Mahanayak' which became popular. Especially, "Amar E Duti Chokh" became an alltime hit. In 1986, he wrote the outstanding song "Ei Duniya Ekhon To Aar" (Mitali Mukherjee) for the film Dui Poisar Alta, starring Shabana. Mitali earned National Award for that song. He wrote the song "Akasher Hate Achhe Ekrash Nil" that became hit and made Shammi Aktar popular.

1990s

In 1990, he directed the film 'Swadhin', based on a story upon 1971's freedom fight. In 1993, Keyamot Theke Keyamot film was made upon the 1988 Hindi film 'Kyamat Se Kyamat Tak'. Its music director directly copied the tones. Gazi wrote the superhit song "Ekhon To Somoy","Baba Bole Chhele","O Amar Bondhugo". All of the songs became thrashing hits. In 1995, he wrote the song "Porena Chokher Polok", sung by Andrew Kishore and lip-synched by Riaz became a chartbuster. In 1997, he wrote "Je Prem Swargo Theke" and "Tumi Amar Praner Cheye Priyo" in Praner Cheye Priyo film. In 1999, he penned the songs of the film Biyer Phul, Ammajan, Madam Fuli, Ragi. 'Biyer Phul' had the very hit song "Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy" sung by Andrew Kishore and Kanakchapa.

2000-present

In 2002, he wrote songs for Premer Taj Mahal. A superhit soundtrack album. It contained the superhit tracks "Chhotto Ekta Jibon Niye" and "Ei Buke Boichhe Jamuna". He received his fourth National film award for Best Lyricist Award for the film. In 2003, he wrote the song "Kichu Kichu Manusher Jibone" for the film Phul Nebo Na Osru Nebo. It was sung by Andrew Kishore and Kanak Chapa and became very popular. In 2005, his penned song "Sukher Pakhi Re" in the film 'Dui Noyoner Alo' earned Sabina Yasmin a National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Personal life

He married Zahura Gazi in 25 September 1973. He was a former Bangladeshi athlete and TV anchor. She was once a very popular anchor in Bangladesh Television. Together they have two children- a son and a daughter. Their son Safarraz Anwar is a businessman . He is very highly educated and one of the most renowned businessman in Bangladesh. Their daughter Nusrat Farha Chowdhury is a popular female singer of present generation.^[5]

Collaborations

He has worked with almost every singer and music director of Dhallywood. Shahnaz Rahmatullah; He wrote a lot of great songs for Shahnaz Rahmatullah. "Tondraha Noyono Amar","Ektara Tui Desher Kotha","Ekbar Jete Dena","Ek Nodi Rokto Periye","Sagorer Teer Theke","Je Chhilo Dristor Simanay" to name a few. He is best remembered for his collaborations with singer Sabina Yasmin. Sabina's major hit tracks came from his pen. "Osru Diye Lekha","Swojon Harano Diner","Oi Railliner Dhare","Koto Sadhonay","Jibon Amar Dhonyo Holo","Ei Prithibir Pore","O Amar Rosiya Bondhure","Ei Mon Tomake Dilam","Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto","Tumi Je Amar Kobita","Sundar Suborno","Mohakal Seto Okul","E Jibone Tumi Ogo Ele","Jeona Saathi" etc.^[6] He also shared a great collaboration with Runa Laila, Andrew Kishore, Kanak Chapa, Syed Abdul Hadi, Subir Nandi, Khurshid Alam, and other singers. He wrote various notable songs for Andrew: "Bhalobasar Mullo Koto","Ami Ekdin Tomay Na Dekhile","Hayre Manush Rongin Fanush","Sobaito Bhalobasa Chai" etc. He sang "Achhen Amar Muktar","Keu Konodin Amare To","Surjodoye Tumi" and other songs with Syed Abdul Hadi. Most of the songs in Hadi's career was written by him. Gazi wrote "Chhotto Ekta Jibon Niye","Akashe Chand Utheche","Onek Sadhonar Pore","Ei Buke Boiche Jamuna","Je Prem Swargo Theke","Ki Chhile Amar" and other superhit tracks for Kanak Chapa.

Songs

^[7]

Filmography (lyricist)

Filmography (director)

He has directed 19 films. His filmography as a director follows:^[8]

Filmography (producer)

He has produced 23 films. His filmography as producer as follows:^[9]

Legacy

Gazi Mazharul Anwar is widely considered as the best name in Bangladeshi lyrics without any stiff competition. He was the first choice of all the music directors. He has worked profoundly with the prominent music directors such as Alam Khan, Sheikh Sadi Khan, Alauddin Ali, Samar Das, Satya Saha, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul and relatively new generation of music directors such as Shawkat Ali Emon, Emon Saha, Ali Akram Shuvo etc. He was among the lyricists of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971 alongside Apel Mahmud, Govind Haldar, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. He wrote the songs "Swajan Harano Diner Smarane","Ek Sagor Rokter Binimoye","Ektara Tui Desher Kotha","Ek Nodi Rokto Periye" etc. songs.^[10] These are alltime hit songs and inspired the whole nation during the war. His songs made up the career of Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila, Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Subir Nandi, Syed Abdul Hadi, Mahmudunnabi, Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore, Khalid Hasan Milu, Baby Nazneen, Monir Khan etc. singers.

Recognition

Gazi Mazharul Anwar has earned more than 200 awards in his career. Thus, he has become the most awarded film personality in Bangladesh and the most awarded lyricist in history also. He has earned Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics a record 5 times and consecutively three occasions: 1992, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003. He received 'Ekushe Padak', the highest civilian honour in 2002. He received the 'President's Gold Medal' for his contribution in the liberation war of 1971, by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He received the 'Zia Gold Medal' in 2002. He earned 'Desh Netri Sansrkitik Padak' for his contribution in culture. He received 'Late Dev Bhattacharya and SM Sultan Memorial Award' in 1994. He received Comilla-Chandpur Bramanbaria Award in 1995. He also received SI DAB Award, Dhaka Performing Arts Award, Nattyashaba Award, Purbani Chalaschitra Pathak Award, Chitrali Pathak Award, Comilla Foundation Award, Jahir Raihan Chalaschitra Award, Sequence Award, Dhaka Bishwabiddalaya Shikkhai Alo Award, Raza Hossain Khan Smriti Award, Bangladesh Socio Cultural Center Award, Film Audience Award etc. to name a few. He received several lifetime achievement awards such as 'Cine Film Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award' and 'CJFB Lifetime Achievement Award'.^[11]

References

External links