As someone who never attended a formal music school and was instead homeschooled in melodies by his father, Jahid Nirob paved his own path into the world of music. He started out playing guitar at homely ceremonies, never imagining that one day he would step into the role of a music director.

Yet, motivated by an inborn curiosity to explore beyond the usual, he embraced the challenge in his own way. Now, the artiste envisions opening a music school to help aspiring musicians develop their own techniques rather than relying on formal, bookish methods.

In an exclusive conversation with The Daily Star, the musician opened up about his recent accomplishments, collaborations, and plans for the future.

His journey took a remarkable turn when he had the opportunity to represent Bangladesh at the prestigious UNESCO headquarters in Paris, performing alongside some of the country's finest musicians on International Mother Language Day.

"Mid-January, Sarwar bhai came to the studio and said, 'We have to play with music.' His eccentricity knows no bounds!" At that time, he had no idea what the performance was for or what the purpose behind it was. All he knew was that something significant was happening for UNESCO.

"You have to design music for the UNESCO performance," he insisted. With that, he, along with Sarwar bhai and filmmaker Tanim Noor, began composing. They built the piece around a central melodic theme, refining it through countless iterations until they finally created an 18-minute track worthy of the occasion.

"It was just a three-day trip, yet, it was dreamlike. Such a grand platform, and the best part? I had some of the country's most talented musicians by my side—Jalal bhai, Mithun bhai—what more could I ask for?" he reflected.

Fresh off his UNESCO performance, Nirob has been fully immersed in several exciting projects. He is currently working on the background score for "Bohemian Ghora", a Hoichoi Originals production directed by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury. "The process is different but fun. We're conducting online sessions every day," he shared.

Another major project in his pipeline is "How Sweet", a Bongo Original production by Kajal Arefin Ome. The background score, composed by Nirob, is set for release this Eid.

Then there's "Ghumpori", a Chorki Original film that has been making waves, particularly for its background score, which was composed by none other than Nirob himself. "The appreciation is pouring in, and it's heartwarming," he said.

The background music of 'Ghumpori' stands out because it doesn't follow the usual pattern. "It's not the traditional, subtle score that blends into the background. It has a romantic undertone, with a grand, larger-than-life feel—almost like the musical styles of Bollywood or South Indian cinema." The audience's reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, proving that experimenting with new soundscapes can strike the right chord.

Beyond film, Nirob has also composed music and jingles for various Ramadan and Eid-centered advertisements.

After spending over a decade working in a small studio in Niketan, Nirob has finally built a space of his own—Sound of Silence.

"This studio represents more than a workspace, it's built on years of experience and dedication. Manna Dey once said, 'I have wanted a lot in life, but I have received much more than that.' That thought stays with me. Right now, I'm fully occupied with setting up this studio," he shared.

Despite his success, the young musician holds strong views about the state of music education in Bangladesh. "The existing system isn't structured to truly shape a student's future," he explained. "Most traditional institutions offer very few effective lessons for beginners. The entire syllabus needs reform."

Through his initiative, Ganer School, he hopes to introduce four foundational courses, including Basic Music Theory, Vocal Practice, National Anthem and Patriotic Songs, Chora Gaan (folk songs) for children, and Guitar & Ukulele training.

When asked about his journey in making music his profession, Nirob recalled how society often discouraged him. "As a child, I used to sing, and people would pat my back and say encouraging words. But in the same breath, they'd add, 'You're doing well, but you wouldn't want to take this as a career.'"

Years later, when those same people saw him representing Bangladesh on an international stage, their tune changed. "They started saying, 'Be a musician like Jahid Nirob.' That drastic shift in perspective happened only because I could prove myself," he stated.

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"There's a bright future in music— but only if it's taken seriously as a profession. It's not just about earning a degree; it's about embracing the challenge of making music your life's work," shared the artiste in his message to aspiring musicians.