Bound by music and driven by passion, Rubayat Rehman and Ruslan Rehman have found not just melodies but a shared destiny.

As co-founders of the indie band The Rehman Duo, their music connects like whispered confessions—soulful, unguarded, and deeply human. On a golden spring afternoon, we sat with the multifaceted couple for an exclusive photoshoot. During the interval, they unfolded their musical journey, the philosophy that shapes their harmony, and their dreams for the future.

"Our first collaboration was in 2014 for Amitabh Reza Chowdhury's telefilm 'Surface'," recalled Ruslan, who has composed background scores and tracks for web projects like "Karagar" (2022) and "Guti" (2023).

"In 2015, we took a leap of faith, setting up our studio, and in 2017 officially became The Rehman Duo. We started with covers of different songs, including renditions of songs by bands such as Warfaze, Artcell, Shironamhin, and Meghdol on our YouTube channel, which eventually led us to release our original track, 'Onnoy', in 2020."

Later on, they released originals like "Ashor" (2020), "Bole Dao" (2021), "Etibritto" (2021), "Isshot Jajabor" (2022), and "Ekhane Ekhon" (2024), earning them nearly 50,000 dedicated followers who communicate with the band regularly.

"In an era where success is often measured by the number of followers, we find true fulfillment in our dedicated fans—the ones who stay connected, support us wholeheartedly and make this journey meaningful," expressed Ruslan.

Adding to this, Rubayat shared, "Many describe our compositions and lyrics as a form of therapy—an oasis of calm in a chaotic world, and it makes us feel truly successful."

Rubayat, a trained Rabindra Sangeet singer, is also a skilled painter and instrumentalist. She was a touring member of the renowned band Joler Gaan for a year and participated in "Bangladeshi Idol" in 2012, where Ruslan first saw her perform on television and later connected with her on social media.

"We both have similar tastes in music," added Rubayat, the singer of the track 'Jiboner Khoj' from Shankha Dasgupta's web series 'Guti'. The track was composed by Ruslan.

The duo not only writes and composes their songs but also brings their vision to life through self-directed music videos. "Our shared taste in music and philosophy of creation binds our art," said Ruslan.

One might wonder how a duo manages to juggle so many tasks. Rubayat explained, "It's a tough job, but over time we've become self-taught, taking on everything ourselves to complete each project, and we've been doing it for 12 straight years!"

Beyond their online presence, The Rehman Duo has performed live at events like Dhaka Makers, Festive Bangladesh, and Rickshaw Connects. With additional touring members, their live shows create an intimate atmosphere. However, they acknowledged the challenges of live performances, particularly poor sound projection. 

"It depends on venue structure—glass, ceramic, and stone walls create harsh echoes, whereas wood and fabric soften the sound," Ruslan explained. "Since our music is melodious, any form of imperfection is easily noticeable." They remain hopeful that better venues will emerge.

Their current lineup includes Dippro Ahmed (Piano), Sakib (Electric Guitar), Omee (Bass), and Samiul Wahid (Drums).

Ruslan, originally aspiring to be a filmmaker, has signed onto another film project in post-production. He is involved in ad film music and co-producing a government-funded film alongside cinematographer Sumon Sarker. 

Meanwhile, Rubayat contributed to Coke Studio Bangla's choir section for two consecutive years, refining her harmonising skills. "My experience in Coke Studio Bangla was amazing, and it was a journey where I improved my harmonising skills, which I lacked. Moreover, performing on such a huge platform is a great opportunity for any musician."

The duo will release one song as part of Hatirpool Sessions' third edition and another for a musical documentary produced by Binge, set to air in March.

Being married for 12 years and balancing personal and professional lives together is challenging for Rubayat and Ruslan. Yet, the couple has embraced it. 

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"We can't separate it," since our professional and personal lives are extremely intertwined," said Rubayat. "It gets overwhelming, but we find a centre point—for the sake of art."

Ruslan added, "When an artiste is truthful and honest with their art, they succeed."

From humble beginnings to becoming a beloved indie act, The Rehman Duo continues to craft heartfelt music—one note at a time.