I live close to nature now: Ferdous Wahid

Ferdous Wahid is one of the pioneers of pop music in the country. He has gifted audiences countless timeless songs such as "Mamunia", "Emon Ekta Ma Dena", and "Age Jodi Jantam". Beyond music, he has directed dramas and films, and has also earned acclaim as a television presenter.

However, this popular artiste has been living in his village home for quite some time after leaving the capital. In a conversation with The Daily Star, he shared the story of why he chose a rural life over the city.

You have been living in the village for a long time now. How are you doing?

I am doing very well in the village. I am truly well. I am living peacefully in a hassle-free and clean environment. There is a unique calm in this life, a different kind of happiness. Those who have not lived this life will not understand it.

With so much fame and so many achievements, what made you choose village life?

We need to go a little back. My father passed away a long time ago, in 1985. After his death, there was a gathering at our village home, and many people came. Something happened when I came to the house at that time—it felt really good. My heart said, "Why don't you come here more often? Why not come more frequently?" I spoke openly to my mother and asked her to give me a room. She asked, "Will you really come?" After that, a tin-roofed building was constructed for me. Gradually, my love for the village began to grow.

For the past decade, I have been visiting the village more frequently, and for the last seven years, I have been living there on a regular basis. I have built a three-storey bungalow and now live close to nature. It brings me a sense of contentment. For anyone seeking peace and a hassle-free life, village living offers that possibility. That is why I can say I am very happy here.

You once mentioned that you spend time on a boat every week. Do you still do so?

Yes, I still do. There's a big reason for it: to keep myself closer to nature. Whenever I feel like it, I go to the boat. I float on the water, eat and drink on the boat, and even cook there. There is no greater joy than being amidst nature. I do this to understand life and to reflect on it.

You are a popular artiste. How close do people get to you?

A lot of people come to me. On both sides of my house, there are 70–80 families, and they come by. Many villagers also visit. There is a constant flow of people, which I really enjoy. But I must say one thing: I find the most joy in spending time with people who are financially less fortunate. I have a closer relationship with them. At my house, I have a blood pressure monitor and a device to check for diabetes. I let those who are financially weak use these for testing.

Are you still singing and hosting programmes?

I also enjoy this life very much. I ask myself—how am I still doing so much work? How am I still hosting programmes? Everything is by the grace of Allah. You see, every month I have to go to Dhaka for 5–7 days. The event organisers take me there and bring me back. I am able to keep working because I truly enjoy it.

You recently hosted a programme on Channel i. What kind of response did you receive?

I received a tremendous response. The feedback has been overwhelming from all sides. After it was broadcast, countless viewers have also watched it on YouTube. Many people have praised me. From this, I can tell that a large number of people have watched the programme I hosted.

In a long artistic career, do you feel any unfulfilled work?

The way I have received people's love, what more could I ask for? People still love me. I haven't received a National Award—and I don't even aspire to. I have received so much respect, and I am still receiving it— isn't that enough? The people of Bikrampur love me dearly. The administration of Bikrampur appreciates me. People all over the country love me. Even the expatriate brothers love me. Receiving the love of the masses—that is the greatest reward. What more could I want!

Many of your friends, including pop emperors Azam Khan and Firoz Sai, are no longer alive. Could you say something about them?

I can't finish talking about my friends in just a few words. To put it briefly, I miss them terribly. I think of them often. I shared some wonderful times with my friends. That time, that atmosphere, and friends like those will never come again. I will never have such bonds again. The kind of friendship we had is gone. There is excitement now, but there are fewer friends.

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Your son, Habib Wahid, is known by his own name. Could you say something about him?

I am happy with Habib's success. He is perfect in music and has a unique magic in melody. He has become very humble now. However, I believe he has used only 25% of his talent. The remaining 75% is still untapped. If he uses that 75%, he will achieve something truly extraordinary.