Sheikh Arif Bulbon :
Adieu the legendary lyricist, director, producer and screenwriter Gazi Mazharul Anwar. He died at the age of 79 in the morning on September 4. This legendary lyricist made a history in the field of music in the country. The six times National Film Award winner iconic personality composed more than 20,000 songs in different media including radio, television and cinema for 60 years, which is not only outstanding but also wonderful matter in the history of writing lyrics in the world. In 2020, at his residence, the lyricist mentioned it by himself.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar composed the legendary song titled ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy,’ which was composed in 1970. This song inspired the war of independence of Bangladesh during 1971. Later, this became a song of revolutionary movement in the country and also used it as the weapon to overcome any crisis. While asking about the history of composing this legendary song, Gazi Mazharul Anwar told this correspondent, “Bangabandhu announced the independence of Bangladesh at the Historic March 7 speech at then the Racecourse Playground in Dhaka on March 7, 1971. He ended his speech giving the slogan titled ‘Joy Bangla.’ I was sitting at a studio in Farmgate in the evening on that day. That studio was very famous during that time. Many renowned persons visited there. My school teacher Salauddin Sir also presented during that evening. He suggested me to do something with the slogan titled ‘Joy Bangla,’ which was very urgent to publicity then as it would inspire the people. Then I was thinking how it would be written with the slogan ‘Joy Bangla.’ “If there is used word ‘Bangla’in the last, it is to be difficult to match its rhythm. Then I made it to ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy.’ I found then the song was composed. I called Anwar Parvez to come into the studio. I also requested him to bring Shahin (singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah) with him. I also requested Abdul Jabbar to come there. Suddenly, Altaf Mahmud came to the studio. He saw I was writing something. Then he took the paper from me and told me, “Give me, I will compose its music.” Then Altaf Mahmud composed music of the song playing harmonium at the studio. I told him, “Anwar Parvez is coming. You can wait.” Later, Anwar Parvez, Abdul Jabbar, Alauddin Ali and Shahin came. Everybody observed how the song was composed. Anwar Parvez composed its tune and music. Shahin and Jabbar rendered the song. There were also some other singers there. After preparing the song, we went to Bangabandhu. After listening the song, he liked it. Bangabandhu told us by this song the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra will start its journey. After releasing this song, it became popular among all.”
Gazi Mazharul Anwar received the Ekushey Padak in 2002 for his contribution to music. He also won the Swadhinata Padak in 2021. For his outstanding and special contribution in the Liberation War, he received Bangladesh President Gold Medal for the first time. He received a total of 110 awards during his life time. Three of Gazi Mazharul Anwar’s songs were included in the list of the ‘20 greatest Bengali songs’ made by BBC Bangla. Some of his masterpieces are: ‘Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy,’ ‘Achhen Aamar Moktar,’ ‘Ektara Tui Desh-er Kotha Bol Re Ebar Bol,’ ‘Gaan-er Khatay Swaralipi Likhe,’ ‘Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy,’ ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam,’ ‘Chokher Nojor Emni Koyra,’ ‘Akasher Haate Achhe Ekrash Nil,’ ‘O Pakhi Tor Jontronay,’ among countless others.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar was born at Taleshwar village of Daudkandi in Cumilla on February 22 in 1943. He started writing for Radio Pakistan from 1964. In the beginning of Bangladesh Television he was attached with writing dramas and songs.
He first wrote playback song for movie ‘Ayna O Oboshisto’ in 1967. From that time he presented his skill for writing stories, scripts, dialogues and songs. His directed first movie ‘Nantu Ghotok’ was released in 1982. He also gave direction of movies ‘Shasti,’ ‘Chor,’ ‘Bicharpoti,’ ‘Shondhi,’ ‘Swakkhor,’ ‘Shorto,’ ‘Swadhin,’ ‘Somor,’ ‘Shroddha,’ ‘Sneho,’ ‘Ulka,’ ‘Poradhin,’ ‘Amma,’ ‘Ragi,’ ‘Artonad,’ ‘Jiboner Golpo,’ ‘Ei Je Duniya,’ ‘Pashaner Prem,’ ‘Hridoy Bhanga Dhew,’ etc. He produced 42 movies before his death. For almost six decades, Gazi Mazharul Anwar’s pen told the story of patriotism, war, love, sacrifice and other themes as well.
