Which song helped you gain popularity?

I do not know if I am popular to the audience yet, but I love singing. In 2015, my first solo album "Chayabaji" was released. The songs "Chayabaji" and "Ghurefiri" seem to be popular among fans and ever since, I have been receiving requests for live performances. 

These two songs that you mentioned; has there been music videos made of them?

Only "Ghurefire" has been turned into a music video. I have been receiving positive responses so far. "Chayabaji" will soon have its music video as planning is underway. I also received the Meril-Prothom Alo nomination for my album "Chayabaji".

You were nominated for your first album. Did you win any award?

I won the award for "Best New Singer" in Symphony-Channel i Music Awards. This is one of the biggest achievements of my life.

What was the turning point of your singing career?

In 2010, I was among the top four in Channel i Shera Kontho and this is one of the biggest turning points in my career. This has really catapulted my career towards positivity. I consider the award I won at Symphony-Channel i to be the next turning point. 

Who taught you to sing?

I learned singing from my family.  I started out at Shishu Academy. Ustad S.M. Belal Hossain, Md Rezwanul Haque taught me how to sing. At the moment, I am learning classical from Priyanka Gope. 

Who would you say are your inspirations when it comes to singing? Who do you regard as your idols?

I would say that the artist that inspires me the most in Nilufar Yasmin. I am drawn to her style, especially her fluttering voice. It's a quality I aspire to have someday. Her voice, actions, persona as a singer, is amazing. Apart from her, I also like Shreya Ghoshal and her performances.

Have you performed for movie playbacks?

I have performed in one song, composed by Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul. Also, I lent my voice to a song tuned and composed by Ali Akram for the movie "Crime Road." I hope to keep on performing for movie playbacks in the coming days, as I feel it would allow me an opportunity to really highlight my talents.

Would you like to share a secret with us? Something that you have not shared in the media before?

I'm more or less like an open book; I don't really have secrets from the media, or anyone for that matter. However, few know that apart from singing, I am an award winning performer for dance, acting, poetry reading and recitation of the Holy Quran. Nowadays, however, I am focusing more on hosting and developing my talents there.

Solo albums don't really get published much nowadays, mostly singles. How do you see this?

It's not bad. Every song needs a lot of work behind it and the fans don't really listen to all of them. If two songs and music videos are what the fans want, the artists should be happy to comply with the changes.

What are your future plans with music?

I hope to cover the songs that are centuries old, or even older. I have already picked out some of Begum Akhter and Shipra Bose's songs and hope to perform covers of those pieces someday.



Interviewed by Zahid Akbar

Narrated by Syed Ahnaf Sadeed