Ten iconic songs that define Gazi Mazharul Anwar’s legacy
Celebrated lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar, who gifted the nation thousands of memorable songs, is being remembered on his birth anniversary today. Had he been alive, the legendary songwriter would have turned 83.
Born on February 22, 1943, in Cumilla’s Daudkandi upazila, Gazi Mazharul Anwar wrote more than 20,000 songs over a remarkable six-decade career. From romantic melodies to patriotic anthems, his words shaped the golden era of Bangladeshi music and cinema.
His wife, Zohora Gazi, was one of East Pakistan’s top athletes and later became a film producer. Their son, Sarfaraz Anwar Upol, is a businessman, and their daughter, Dithi Anwar, is a singer.
He was also involved in filmmaking, directing and producing around 41 films. Since the early days of Bangladesh Television (BTV), he contributed numerous songs to the national broadcaster. In a BBC survey of the greatest Bengali songs of all time, three of his compositions — “Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy”, “Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Shonar Gaye”, and “Ektara Tui Desher Kotha Bol Re Ebar Bol” — were included in the top 20.
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For his special contributions to the Liberation War, he received the President’s Gold Medal. He won the National Film Award five times and was honoured with the Ekushey Padak in 2002 for his outstanding contribution to the arts. In 2021, he was awarded the Independence Award, the country’s highest civilian honour.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar passed away on September 4, 2022, leaving behind an unparalleled musical legacy.
Here are ten timeless film songs written by Gazi Mazharul Anwar:
1. “Akash er Hate Ache Ek Rash Nil”, film: “Ayna O Oboshishto”, singer: Anjuman Ara Begum
2. “Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy”, film: “Obujh Mon”, singer: Sabina Yasmin
3. “She Je Keno Elo Na”, film: “Rongbaz”, singer: Sabina Yasmin
4. “Bondhu Tin Din Tor Barite Gelam”, film: “Koshai”, singer: Runa Laila
5. “Shobai Bole Boyos Bare”, film: “Fakir Majnu Shah”, singer: Rathindranath Roy
6. “Isharay Shish Diye”, film: “Bandini”, singer: Sabina Yasmin
7. “Achen Amar Moktar, Achen Amar Barrister”, film: “Golapi Ekhon Train e”, singer: Syed Abdul Hadi
8. “Chul Dhoiro Na Khopa Khule Jabe He Nagor”, film: “Noyonmoni”, singer: Sabina Yasmin
9. “Dhaka Shohor Aisha Amar Asha Puraiche”, film: “Oshikkhito”, singers: Shammi Akhtar and Khandaker Faruk Ahmed
10. “Neel Akasher Niche Ami”, film: “Neel Akasher Niche”, singer: Khandaker Faruk Ahmed
Through these songs and countless others, Gazi Mazharul Anwar continues to live on in the heart of Bangladesh’s cultural history.
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