1 Minute Please!

Photo: Courtesy

The name Maqsoodul Haque, a writer and singer, is synonymous to the revolution of the 60s, the 70s and mostly the 90s. His poetry speaks of people, desires, authorities, establishment, rights and democracy; and at the same time, he touches on love, nostalgia and the universe within oneself. He is also a writer and has written books and blogs on music, Lalon Shah and so much more. He speaks to the Star Weekend about life - the past and the present.

What was the first song that you had ever written?
With FeedBack – my first written, composed and sung song was 'Tomar chithi'

If you were given an opportunity to go back to the past, what would you change?
Honestly nothing. Life has been both good and bad to me and I loved it.

What is the one song that really inspires you to get up in the morning and move?
A song from the 70s band Rare Earth called 'Get ready'. It's a one of a kind historical song that dominated most charts across the world. I mean dominated the whole chart because the song itself was 21 minutes long!

If you had a chance to meet Lalon Shah, what would you tell him?
I would thank him for the difference he made to my life – the only life I will ever have. Stripped me off my ego, and above all stripped me off the politics of identify.
If banished to an isolated island, what three things would you take with you?
1.) The complete works of Fakir Lalon, 2) my Buddha trinket and 3) and my sense of humour!

If not your earth-shattering revolutionary lyrics and music - what other genre would you have explored?
Reggae all the way or Punk music using some very very explicit lyrics

What would be your advice to the young people who would like to enter the music industry in Bangladesh today?
All I will tell them is the music industry is a tricky place to be in – so unlearn whatever you have learnt and relearn the tricks of the trade. Bottom line – be an 'honest hypocrite' and chances are you just might make it.