Shahid Mahmud Jangi: The celebrated lyricist

Shahid Mahmud Jangi started writing songs in 1977. He has carved a niche for himself in the field of songwriting with a number of hit songs for many pioneering Bangladeshi bands and soloists. He penned songs like Hridoy Kada Matir Kono Murti Noy (Renaissance), Ekdin Ghum Bhanga Shohore (LRB) and Somoy Jeno Katena (Samina Chowdhury) among others. He has recently written eight songs for Renaissance’s upcoming albums. Pilu Khan is the composer of the songs.

 Jangi shared his thoughts on the state of music in Bangladesh. “Unfortunately, in our country, music is not revered as Literature. Whereas, Tagore’s Nobel Prize-winning collection of poems, Geetanjali, can be regarded as a piece of music, and singer Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature,” he says. “Music is one of the most esteemed forms of art.”

Jangi wrote the patriotic song, Mukto Manik Pabar Ashaye Amra Dichchhi Pari for Souls’ second album. He also penned Dik-e Dik-e Ahajari Shobar Chokkhe Pani,Protidin Protiti Muhurto Keno Chute Jetam Tomar Kachhe, Tumi Ami Noy Aj Cholo Gai Gaan,Oi Dekho Gaichhe Paul Robson...Dekho Dukhi Janata Egiye Chole, Tader-i Gaan Kore Bob Marley,Cha-er Cup-e Porichoy Tomar Sathey and Anobik Aghate Hiroshima Kande for the band.

When Naquib Khan left Souls in 1981 and formed Renaissance, Ayub Bachchu took his position. Jangi also wrote songs like Aj Je Shishu Prithibir Aloye Eshechhe,Tritiyo Bishwa Emoni Ek Bishwa,Hey Bangladesh,Tomar Boyosh Holo Koto and many others for Renaissance.

 “When Bachchu left Souls, he sang one of my songs. He always encouraged me to write new songs. One day, he took me to the forest hill of Chattogram where I was supposed to complete the song Ekdin Ghum Bhanga Shohorey. I had written only the first four lines of that song. Once I was there, I was also inspired to write the song, Ki Jani Ki Ek Din Chhilo,” recalls the lyricist.

He has also written all the songs for Pilu Khan’s upcoming solo album, Tomra Bhalo Acho To? Having penned captivating songs for multiple renowned artistes over the years, Jangi aspires to keep doing what he loves.