Gazi Mazharul Anwar (22 February 1943 – 4 September 2022) was a Bangladeshi film director, producer, lyricist, screenwriter and music director. He earned 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 ''Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti'' ( bn, কখনো মেঘ কখনো বৃষ্টি) is a 2003 Bangladeshi film directed by actress Moushumi. It is the first film she directed. It stars Moushumi, Ferdous, Razzak, Bobita, Humayun Fari ...

(2003)'' and '' Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe (2016)''. He worked as a lyricist in the "

Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra ( bn, স্বাধীন বাংলা বেতার কেন্দ্র, lit=Free Bengal Radio Centre) was the radio broadcasting centre of Bengali nationalist forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1 ...

". He was awarded

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

in 2002 and

Independence Day Award The Independence Day Award ( bn, স্বাধীনতা পদক), also termed Independence Award ( bn, স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কার), Swadhinata Padak, and Swadhinata Puroskar, is the highest state award given by t ...

in 2021 by the

government of Bangladesh The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( bn, গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার — ) is the central executive government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Con ...

. He has penned lyrics for 176 films.

Career

1960s

Gazi started his career as a lyricist at Radio Pakistan. The Bangladeshi film industry was born in 1956. Gazi started his career as a lyricist in the

Dhallywood The Bangladeshi Cinema, better known as Dhallywood ( bn, ঢালিউড), is the Bengali-language film industry based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It has often been a significant film industry since the early 1970s. The dominant style of Bangl ...

film industry in 1965. He wrote songs for

Zahir Raihan Mohammad Zahirullah (19 August 1935 – disappeared 30 January 1972), known as Zahir Raihan, was a Bangladeshi novelist, writer and filmmaker. He is most notable for his documentary ''Stop Genocide'' (1971), made during the Bangladesh Liberatio ...

's films, including ''Kacher Dewal'' (1965), ''Behula'' (1966), and ''Dui Bhai'' (1968). 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, including Urdu songs for

Urdu-language Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

Jibon Theke Neya'', Gazi wrote the songs. "E Khacha Bhangbo Ami", sung by Khan Ataur Rahman, became a hit. "Eki Sonar Aloy", sung by

Sabina Yasmin Sabina Yasmin (born 4 September 1953) is a Bangladeshi singer. She is best known as a playback singer in Bengali cinema. She has won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer a record 14 times. She has recorded more than 1 ...

, was another hit, whose popularity endures. In 1971, the historic fight for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan took place. Bangladeshi and Indian artists joined the movement through cultural protests. '

' was established for that purpose. Songs protesting Pakistani aggression and glorifying Bangladeshi freedom fighters' strength and contributions were penned by Anwar Parvez, Govind Haldar and Gazi Mazharul Anwar. He wrote the patriotic and popular songs "Ektara Tui Desher Kotha", and "Ekbar Jete Dena", first sung by

Shahnaz Rahmatullah Shahnaz Rahmatullah (; 2 January 1952 – 23 March 2019) was a Bangladeshi singer. Her notable songs are ''Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye'', ''Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay'' and ''Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha''. She was the recipient of the Ek ...

. He wrote "Joy Bangla Banglar Joy", which became the theme song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He also wrote "Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh". "Joy Bangla" became the theme song for the

Awami League In Urdu language, Awami is the adjectival form for '' Awam'', the Urdu language word for common people. The adjective appears in the following proper names: *Awami Colony, a neighbourhood of Landhi Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan *Awami Front, wa ...

. 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 Runa Laila ( bn, রুনা লায়লা, ur, ; born 17 November 1952) is a Bangladeshi playback singer and composer. She started her career in Pakistan film industry in the late 1960s. Her style of singing is inspired by Pakistani p ...

. It was her first Bangla song and established her as a household name. In 1974, he wrote songs for the patriotic film ''

Alor Michil ''Alor Michil'' ( bn, আলোর মিছিল; English translation: Procession of Light) is a 1974 Bangladeshi patriotic film which focuses on the independence movement of 1971. Written and directed by Narayan Ghosh Mita, it stars Abdur Ra ...

''. Its songs, such as "Dukkho Korona" (sung by Abdul Jabbar) and "Ei Prithir Pore" (sung by Sabina Yasmin) remain popular. Other songs for Yasmin in the 1970s include "O Amar Rosiya Bondhure", "Ei Prithibir Pore", "Eki Sonar Aloy", "Monero Ronge Rangabo" and "Osru Diye Lekha".

1980s

In 1982, he wrote lyrics for ''Rajnigandha'', ''Ronger Manush'', ''Bhat De'' and ''Desh Pardesh''. For ''Rajnigandha'', he wrote "Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto" (sung by Yasmin), a major hit. He wrote "Jeona Saathi" (sung by Yasmin) for ''Door Desh''. The latter fetched a National Film Award for Andrew Kishore. Gazi's "Sobai To Bhalobasa Chai" (sung by Andrew Kishore) was a big hit. "Dhonyo Hoyechi Ami", "Koto Sadhonay Emon Bhagyo Mele", and "E Jibone Tumi Ogo Ele", all sung by Yasmin, were successful. In 1984, he wrote popular songs for ''Mahanayak''. In 1986, he wrote "Ei Duniya Ekhon To Aar" (sung by Mitali Mukherjee) for ''Dui Poisar Alta'', starring Shabana. Mukherjee earned a

National Film Award The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directora ...

for that song. He wrote the song "Akasher Hate Achhe Ekrash Nil", which made Shammi Aktar popular.

1990s

In 1990, he directed the film ''Swadhin'', based on a story from the liberation. In 1997, he wrote "Je Prem Swargo Theke" and "Tumi Amar Praner Cheye Priyo" for '' Praner Cheye Priyo''. In 1999, he penned the songs for the film ''Biyer Phul'',

Ammajan ''Ammajan'' () is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language crime-drama film directed by Kazi Hayat and written by Monwar Hossain Dipjol. The film was released in 1999 in Bangladesh. It was produced by Monwar Hossain Dipjol. It stars Manna, Shabnam, Moushu ...

, Madam Fuli, Ragi. ''Biyer Phul'' had the hit song "Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy", sung by Kishore and Kanakchapa.

2000-present

In 2002, he wrote songs for '' Premer Taj Mahal''. The

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

album was quite successful. It contained the hit "Chhotto Ekta Jibon Niye". He received his fourth National Film Award for Best Lyricist for the film. In 2003, he wrote "Kichu Kichu Manusher Jibone" for ''Phul Nebo Na Osru Nebo''. It was sung by Kishore and Kanak Chapa. In 2005, his song "Sukher Pakhi Re", which appeared in the film ''Dui Noyoner Alo'', earned Yasmin a National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Collaborations

He worked with almost every singer and music director of Dhallywood. Shahnaz Rahmatullah; He wrote songs for Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Syed Abdul Hadi, Sabina Yasmin and Runa laila. "Tondraha Noyono Amar", "Ektara Tui Desher Kotha", "Ekbar Jete Dena", "Ek Nodi Rokto Periye", "Sagorer Teer Theke", "Akasher hate ache ekrash nil" and "Chokher nozor emni koira ekdin khoiya jabe". He is best remembered for his collaborations with Yasmin. Her major hits came from her and included "Prem jeno mor godhuli belar Pantho pakhir kakoli", "Osru Diye Lekha", "Swojon Harano Diner", "Koto Sadhonay", "Jibon Amar Dhonyo Holo", "Ei Prithibir Pore", "O Amar Rosiya Bondhure", "Ei Mon Tomake Dilam", "Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto", "Tumi Je Amar Kobita", "Mohakal Seto Okul", "E Jibone Tumi Ogo Ele" and "Jeona Saathi". Other important collaborators included Runa Laila, Andrew Kishore, Kanak Chapa, Syed Abdul Hadi, Subir Nandi and Khurshid Alam. His songs for Kishore included: "Ami Ekdin Tomay Na Dekhile", "

Hayre Manush Rangin Phanush Hayre Manush Rangin Phanush is a National Award-winning song from the 1982 Bangladeshi film ''Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo''. The song written by veteran poet Syed Shamsul Haque, composed by Alam Khan and sung by Andrew Kishore. Anwar Hossain and Pra ...

" and "Sobaito Bhalobasa Chai". He wrote most of Syed Abdul Hadi's. Gazi wrote "Chhotto Ekta Jibon Niye", "Akashe Chand Utheche", "Onek Sadhonar Pore", "Je Prem Swargo Theke", "Ki Chhile Amar" and other tracks for Kanak Chapa.

Songs

A partial list of Anwar's compositions include:

Significant works

Lyricist

Director

He has directed 19 films. His filmography as a director follows:

Producer

Gazi has produced 23 films.

Legacy

Gazi Mazharul Anwar was unsurpassed as a Bangladeshi lyricist. He worked with music directors including Alam Khan, Sheikh Sadi Khan, Alauddin Ali, Samar Das, Satya Saha, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul and a later generation including Shawkat Ali Emon, Emon Saha and Ali Akram Shuvo. He was among the lyricists of

in 1971 alongside Apel Mahmud, Govind Haldar, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. He wrote the songs "Swajan Harano Diner Smarane", "Ektara Tui Desher Kotha", "Ek Nodi Rokto Periye" etc. These songs inspired the nation during the war. His songs elevated Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila, Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Subir Nandi, Syed Abdul Hadi, Mahmudunnabi, Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore, Khalid Hasan Milu, Baby Nazneen and Monir Khan.

Awards

Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics The Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics is the highest award for lyrics of film music in Bangladesh. List of winners Records and statistics Multiple wins and nominations The following individuals received two or more Best Lyricist awa ...

(1992, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2016) *

(2002) *

Independence Award The Independence Day Award ( bn, স্বাধীনতা পদক), also termed Independence Award ( bn, স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কার), Swadhinata Padak, and Swadhinata Puroskar, is the highest state award given by t ...

(2021) * President's gold medal for his contribution in the liberation war, by

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ( bn, শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান; 17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), often shortened as Sheikh Mujib or Mujib and widely known as Bangabandhu (meaning ''Friend of Bengal''), was a Bengalis, Beng ...

* Zia Gold Medal (2002) * Desh Netri Sansrkitik Padak for his contribution in culture. * Dev Bhattacharya and SM Sultan Memorial Award in 1994. * Comilla-Chandpur Brahmanbaria Award in 1995. * SI DAB Award * Dhaka Performing Arts Award * Nattyashaba Award * Purbani Chalaschitra Pathak Award * Chitrali Pathak Award * Comilla Foundation Award * Jahir Raihan Chalaschitra Award * Sequence Award * Dhaka Bishwabiddalaya Shikkhai Alo Award * Raza Hossain Khan Smriti Award * Bangladesh Socio Cultural Center Award, and the Film Audience Award.

Lifetime achievement

Anwar received several lifetime achievement awards including Cine Film Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award and CJFB Lifetime Achievement Award.

Death

Gazi Mazharul Anwar died on the way to the

United Hospital Limited United Hospital Limited () is a private hospital in Gulshan Thana, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Mohammad Faizur Rahman is the Managing Director and CEO of the hospital. United Hospital Limited along with Evercare Hospital Dhaka and Square Hospital are con ...

at 7:55 am (UTC+6) on September 4, 2022.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Anwar, Gazi Mazharul 1943 births 2022 deaths Bangladeshi lyricists Bangladeshi music directors Bangladeshi film directors Best Lyricist National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners Recipients of the Ekushey Padak in arts Recipients of the Independence Day Award People from Comilla District