Online Desk:
The much-anticipated biographical anthology Geetijibon—featuring the life stories of twelve of Bangladesh’s leading lyricists—has been released with much fanfare. Written by noted lyricist and journalist Mahmud Manjur, the book has been published by Ajob Prokash.
As part of Ajob Prokash’s 5th-anniversary celebration, the book was unveiled on November 14 in a grand ceremony held at the World Literature Centre in Dhaka. The event was attended by three of the country’s foremost lyricists—Munshi Wadud, Liton Adhikari Rintu & Kabir Bakul—along with the author Mahmud Manjur, publisher Joy Shahriar, and many prominent figures from Bangladesh’s music and literary circles.
Priced at Tk 600, Geetijibon combines in-depth research and intimate interviews to portray the creative journeys of twelve distinguished lyricists: Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, Munshi Wadud, Moniruzzaman Monir, Liton Adhikari Rintu, Nasir Ahmed, Zahidul Haque, Shahid Mahmud Jangi, Kabir Bakul, Asif Iqbal, Shahidullah Farayezi, Zulfiqer Russell, and Gazi Mazharul Anwar.
Reflecting on the work, author Mahmud Manjur said, ‘I’ve been writing for 25 years—both in journalism and in songwriting. For the past few years, I’ve felt a growing urge to create something essential, something no one had attempted before. Through Geetijibon, I’ve tried to document the lives and contributions of twelve of the most renowned lyricists in the country. I intend to continue this series in the future.’
Veteran lyricist Munshi Wadud, one of the featured personalities, praised the effort, saying, ‘This book is not only significant for the younger generation but also for the history of Bangladeshi music. Mahmud Manjur has worked with remarkable patience, talking to us over many days and piecing together our stories with great care. The sincerity of his work is evident on every page. I feel honored to be part of this important document.’
Echoing similar sentiments, legendary lyricist Liton Adhikari Rintu remarked, ‘Reading how the author has portrayed my life moved me deeply. I had never looked back on my journey in this way. Beyond my own story, I discovered many unknown details about my fellow lyricists. Geetijibon will undoubtedly stand as an invaluable chronicle in the history of Bangladeshi music.’
Publisher Joy Shahriar added, ‘We’re thrilled to release Geetijibon as a special publication marking Ajob Prokash’s 5th anniversary. The book is available at our designated sales outlets, as well as on Rokomari and other global digital platforms.’
