An Interview with Dr. Nashid Kamal

Happy birthday ma'am! How do you plan to celebrate today?

Thank you very much! RTV showed a special documentary on me, and I became very emotional during that. They even found my childhood photos with my mother, and I must admit that I became a bit emotional after that. My daughter Armeen (Armeen Musa) gave me a treat. Channel i had an elaborate celebration complete with a huge cake, and they have been doing this since the past 10 years. My friends and family have also been visiting or sending their good wishes throughout the day. I am truly grateful for everything.

You come from a renowned family who has all had innumerable contributions in their respective fields. Did you ever feel pressurized to live up to their high standards?

Thankfully, no. My parents have always been happy with me, and wanted me to go through the academic route. I am actually thankful that I chose music as a passion and not as a career. Even though I was never pressurized, my sisters and the students of Holy Cross were often given examples of me by their teachers! (Laughs) Juniors from school often came up to me and said that their teachers told them to be like Nashid Kamal! I, however, happily fluttered around like a butterfly and followed my dreams. Whether I was successful or not is for you all to judge, but I am happy.

Since you are an established singer yourself, do you ever feel like you could have done more in this sect if you gave more attention to the craft?

Look, I have no regrets that I could not become like Runa Laila or a Sabina Yasmin. The smiles on the face of the people who love my work are enough for me. I was always happy with my unbeaten results; I never came second in any exam that I gave. I always had a knack for education and research, so I found a great middle ground between both music and this. My father even told me that if I didn't sing, I could be a scholar at Harvard! My point is, you can't have everything in life and I am content with whatever I have done until now.

What is the secret behind you being able to achieve so much in so many different fields?

To be honest, it's just that I never wasted a single second. As I grew up abroad, my teachers had taught me how to work and multitask on a very tight schedule. I have carried over this tendency. For example, if I'm in my car, I think about what I want to do and plan on it. I involve myself in studies at all times. The key is to always make good use of your time.

Do you have any resolutions for the future?

By the grace of the Almighty, I have been able to do whatever I have wanted in my field. However, I still want to bring perfection in my tunes and practice classical music as long as I am able to. I still do feel like I have a lot left to do.

Interviewed by Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz