The Moon that never loses his Glow

He has been a part of the music industry since the early 2000's, and is still going strong as one of the most versatile singers/music composers in the country. Despite taking a break of five years on a journey to self-discovery, he is as vibrant as ever: churning out hit songs left and right. Star Showbiz presents to you an honest and uncut sit-down interview with the Moon that keeps on shining in the face of many adversities: Autumnal Moon! 

It has been a long time! What have you been up to lately?

I am currently doing a lot of freelance projects, and have also opened my own YouTube channel as of late. I recently finished working on an album named Asif er Kothay Moon er Gaan, which was released through Gaanchill. At the same time, I have worked on Gaanshala's Ek Nirjhorer Gaan, which is a huge project consisting of 101 songs. I have already arranged 15 of them, and will be responsible for a lot more. Besides these, I am working with many new and talented artists to provide them the platform that would help propel their careers.

You had been a prominent singer for quite a while. But as time went on, you disappeared from the scene. Why the sudden disappearance?

There was a time, I'd say from 2008 to 2012, that I was not available to anyone who was looking for me. I was supposed to work in many films which went on to become hits, but I simply disappeared and was unavailable for live shows or television shows. "Tomake chai bole bar bar, nijeke koto bar harai", this is a song that I had composed a while ago and this goes with the situation I was in. I had to lose myself entirely to reconnect with myself. You could say that I had wanted something from the Almighty, and did not come back until I finally found myself in the way that I wanted.

Tell us about your journey into music.

My maternal uncle Anindo mama was a very good singer. Many say that I turned out to be like him. He told my mother when she had me in her womb that she should sing more and more, so that I could have that passion infused with me as well. When I was about four years old, I was randomly singing and dancing around when my mother noticed and made me sing along with the harmo

nium. I sang the song perfectly, and she burst out in tears because my beloved Anindo mama had passed away previously. I always had music as a top priority, even playing percussion with my pen when I was in the classroom. The more I divulged into music, the worse my grades became! (laughs)

I formally entered the Dhaka music industry came with my collaboration with Ektaar music, where I worked on my solo album from 2000-2007. I had meanwhile collaborated with Ashikuzzaman Tulu and worked with Ark on their final album. I had sung 9 songs of their album. I had worked for numerous singles and mixed albums before my hiatus in 2008.

If you had one word to describe yourself, what would that be?

I would call myself a natural "Baul" and "Gaankobi". Music is entirely my part of my being as a human being. It comes naturally to me.

You have been in the industry for a long time, and have created many hits. However, many feel that you are underrated when compared to the innate talent that you possess. What do you have to say about that? Do you have any regrets as to where your career could have been?

My biggest lesson in life is the lesson I learned on the streets. I have never written a song sitting at a 5-star hotel. My songs were composed on the go, sitting in the roadside tea-shops, etc. I have written songs while getting drenched in the rain so that I could feel what I was writing about. I have no regrets, no complaints about the life I have. I can only say that whenever the Almighty thinks it is time to reap the rewards of my work, I will get it. I will keep on making good music as long as I am able to.

Interviewed by Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz