Maksud Jamil Mintu, a renowned composer and music director, is recognised for his countless popular numbers. He won a National Film Award for the song “Ekta chhilo shonar konya” in the movie “Srabon Megher Din”. The creator of many title songs and background scores for TV plays, Mintu continues his journey in the music arena full steam ahead. The talented composer recently spoke to The Daily Star (TDS) on a gamut of issues.
TDS: What in your view are the major differences between the contemporary and past music scene?
Mintu: The main difference is in the recording process. Contemporary composers Habib and Balam follow the same pattern of tunes that we used to create in the past. But the latest creations are technologically richer. We didn't have technologically advanced studios back then, so producing quality sounds was tough. That is the major difference. Another change is the use of traditional instruments in folk songs. Such instruments were the primary devices in the past, with electric guitars and drums as supporting gears. But nowadays the same songs are being done with a western touch.
TDS: Songs from yesteryears used to find a firm place in listeners' minds. Why are new songs unable to achieve that?
Mintu: Many contemporary artistes are producing good music, but they lack the technical know how. In the absence of quality sound, even a song by a good composer fails to attract attention. So the listeners forget the tunes easily.
TDS: What is the first thing that comes to your mind while creating a new song?
Mintu: At the beginning I contemplate the message the song will convey. Then I ponder how the music can complement the lyrics. I feel that once I read the lyrics, the tunes automatically come to me. This is how I create a song. The initial tunes are hardly ever changed in the later stages.
TDS: How did you become a composer?
Mintu: I played the guitar after my graduation in 1979. I went to BTV and played with Anisur Rahman Tonu. Later, in 1982, I began working in movie playbacks with Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul. My first taste in film music was in “Megh Bijli Badol”, where I played the guitar for the background score.
TDS: Later you also began composing and directing music for films?
Mintu: Yes. I first worked as a music director in Motin Rahman's “Agun Jalo”. The movie featured the song “Elomelo Batashe”, recorded by Baby Naznin. I also worked as composer and music director in several movies by Humayun Ahmed.
TDS: Why are you not a regular in the audio industry?
Mintu: I stopped working in the audio business because the producers profited from our works but failed to recognise our talents. Although we were a key part of their business, we never received proper recognition. So I left the audio scene, only to return in 2009. I came back on a request from Asif Akbar. After a 19-year hiatus, I made an album for Subir Nandi titled, “Shonar Konya”.
TDS: Tell us about your popular movie numbers.
Mintu: The movie “Srabon Megher Din” had tracks like “Ekta chhilo shonar konya”, “Aaj amar Kushum ranir bibaho hoibo”, “Ogo bhabijaan nao baowa” and “Amar bhanga ghore”. I also worked on the music for the film “Dui Duwari”. It featured “Mathae porechi shada cap” sung by Agun, and Selim Chowdhury's “Shohagpur graame ekta”. I also composed the songs “O amar ural ponkhi re” and “Chandni poshor raite jeno” for the movie “Chandra Kotha”. Subir Nandi and Selim Chowdhury recorded the songs respectively. I also composed and directed music for “Shyamol Chhaya”.
TDS: You have also composed many title tracks for TV plays. Can you amplify on that?
Mintu: My first such experience was in the 1988 drama by Al Mansur, titled “Jekhane Dekhibe Chhai”. I also made title tracks for Selim Al Deen's “Gronthik-gon Kohe” and Abdullah Al Mamun's “Shirsho Bindu”. I received the most recognition for my theme music in Humayun Ahmed's “Kothao Keu Nei”. Later, I went on to do the theme music for over 500 TV plays, which included Humayun Ahmed's “Aaj Robibar” and “Nokkhotrer Raat”.