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Legendary Bangladeshi lyricist, director, producer and screenwriter Gazi Mazharul Anwar has passed away at the age of 79. His daughter-in-law Shahana Mirza confirmed the news of the death to the press.
He was ill for the past few days, she added.
Gazi fell sick at 7:00am on Sunday at his residence in the capital and was taken to the United Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Born at Taleshwar in Daudkandi of Cumilla on February 22 in 1943, the maestro composed numerous songs for various media including radio, television, and cinema in a career spanning almost 60 years.
Gazi Mazharul Anwar is survived by a son and a daughter. His daughter and singer Dithi Anwar lives abroad now.
His nephew and popular actor Shahriar Nazim Joy told media that the celebrated musician’s body is kept at the United Hospital mortuary and that he would be buried after his daughter’s return from abroad on Monday. Details about his funeral prayers and burial will also be announced after the return of his daughter Dithi.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock at the death of former Dean of Chattogram University’s Social Sciences Faculty and valiant freedom fighter Prof Gazi Saleh Uddin.
Hasina, also the President of Awami League, prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy for the bereaved family members.
Lyricist career
Gazi started his career as a lyricist at the Radio Pakistan in 1964. He also had a glorious lyricist career in the Dhallywood film industry which started back in 1965. He wrote the songs for Zahir Raihan’s acclaimed films including ‘Kacher Dewal,’ ‘Behula,’ and ‘Dui Bhai.’
In 1968, Zahir asked him to pen seven songs for a film in two days. Gazi amazed Zahir by finishing in two hours. During this time, Gazi wrote screenplays for multiple films and also penned Urdu songs for Urdu-language films.
In the 1970 film ‘Jiban Theke Neya,’ Gazi wrote the songs. ‘E Khancha Bhangbo Ami Kemon Kore’, sung by Khan Ataur Rahman. The song became superhit at that time. ‘Eki Sonar Aloy’, sung by Sabina Yasmin, is another timeless classic, written by Gazi.
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
As the Liberation War of Bangladesh began in 1971, Bangladeshi and Indian artistes joined liberation forces and started a movement through cultural protests. ‘Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra’ was one of the major platform for that purpose. The rebel radio station produced songs protesting Pakistani aggression and glorifying Bangladeshi freedom fighters’ strength and contributions. Most of the hit songs were penned by Anwar Parvez, Govind Haldar and Gazi Mazharul Anwar. During his time at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Gazi wrote the immensely popular patriotic songs like ‘Ektara Tui Desher Kotha’ and ‘Ekbar Jete Dena’, first sung by Shahnaz Rahmatullah, which have stood the test of time.
He even wrote ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy’, which became the theme song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and still one of the most played patriotic songs till date. Gazi also wrote ‘Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh’.
Filmmaking career
Gazi Mazharul Anwar has directed 21 films in his filmmaking career. His directorial debut film ‘Nantu Ghatak’ was released in 1982. In 1990, he directed the film ‘Swadhin,’ based on a Liberation War story.
His filmography includes ‘Sashti,’ ‘Chor,’ ‘Bicharpati,’ ‘Sondhi,’ ‘Swakkhar,’ ‘Swarta,’ ‘Swadhin,’ ‘Samar,’ ‘Sroddha,’ ‘Sneha,’ ‘Ulka,’ ‘Paradhin,’ ‘Amma,’ ‘Ragi,’ ‘Artonad,’ ‘Jibaner Galpa,’ ‘Ei Je Duniya,’ ‘Pashaner Prem,’ ‘Hridoy Bhanga Dhew.’
He also produced 23 Dhallywood films.
Post liberation career
In 1972, he wrote the song ‘Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy’ for the film ‘Aponjon.’ In 1973, he wrote the popular ‘Monero Ronge Rangabo’ for the film ‘Masud Rana.’ In 1974, he wrote the hit song ‘Ganeri Khatay Sworolipi Likhe’, sung by Runa Laila. It was her first Bangla song and established her as a household name. In 1974, he wrote songs for the patriotic film ‘Alor Michhil.’ The film’s songs, such as ‘Dukkho Korona’ (sung by Abdul Jabbar) and ‘Ei Prithibir Pore’ (sung by Sabina Yasmin) remain popular to this day.
In 1997, he wrote ‘Je Prem Swargo Theke’ and ‘Tumi Amar Praner Cheye Priyo’ for the film ‘Praner Cheye Priyo’. In 1999, he penned the songs for the films ‘Biyer Phul,’ ‘Ammajan,’ ‘Madam Fuli,’ ‘Ragi.’
The film ‘Biyer Phul’ had the super hit song ‘Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy’, sung by Andrew Kishore and Kanak Chapa.
He worked with almost every singer and music director of Dhallywood. He wrote songs for Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Syed Abdul Hadi, Sabina Yasmin, Runa laila, Andrew Kishore, Kanak Chapa, Subir Nandi and Khurshid Alam.
His popular songs include ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy,’ ‘Ek Nodi Rokto Periye,’ ‘Ektara Tui Desher Kotha Bolre Ebar Bol,’ ‘Ekbar Jete Dena, Amar Chhotto Sonar Ga,’ ‘Ei Prithibir Pore, Koto Phul Phote ar Jhore,’ ‘Ganeri Khatay Swarolipi Likhe,’ ‘Amar Buker Modhyekhane,’ ‘Ei Duniya Ekhon To Aar,’ ‘O Amar Roshiya Bondhure,’ ‘Phuler Kane Bhromor Ese,’ ‘Osru Diye Lekha E Gaan,’ ‘Jokhon Thambe Kolahol,’ ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam,’ ‘Ami Rajangandha Phuler Moto,’ ‘Beder Meye Jyotsna, ‘Onek Sadhonar Pore Ami,’ ‘Aguner Din Sesh Hobe Ekdin,’ ‘Akashe Chand Utheche, Bagane Phul Phutechhe,’ and many more.
His ‘Joy Bangla’ became the official theme song for the Awami League.
Awards and accolades
He got the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyricist a record six times for the films ‘Tit for Tat’ (1992), ‘Ajante’ (1996), ‘Churiwala’ (2001), ‘Lal Dariya’ (2002), ‘Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti’ (2003) and ‘Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe’ (2016).
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, in 2002 for his contributions in lyrical poetry and the Independence Day Award in 2021.
Gazi received several lifetime achievement awards including Cine Film Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award and CJFB Lifetime Achievement Award.
