Today is the 78th birth anniversary of the country’s prominent lyricist, music director, film director and producer Gazi Mazharul Anwar.

The versatile talent Gazi Mazharul Anwar was born at Daudkandi in Cumilla on February 22 in 1943.

Mazharul Anwar began his career as a lyricist in 1960s. He wrote a good many songs for Zahir Raihan’s 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, including Urdu songs for Urdu-language films.
He also worked as a lyricist in the ‘Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra’. ‘Ektara Tui Desher Kotha’, ‘Ekbar Jete Dena’, ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy’, ‘Amay Jodi Prosno Koro Kolokakolir Desh’ and ‘Ek Nodi Rokto Periye’ are his popular patriotic songs.

Gazi Mazharul Anwar-written other notable songs, including, ‘Monero Ronge Rangabo’, ‘Ganeri Khatay Sworolipi Likhe’, ‘Dukkho Korona’, ‘Ei Prithir Pore’, ‘O Amar Rosiya Bondhure’, ‘Eki Sonar Aloy’, ‘Osru Diye Lekha’, ‘Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto’, ‘Jeona Saathi’, ‘Sobai To Bhalobasa Chai’, ‘E Jibone Tumi Ogo Ele’, ‘Ei Duniya Ekhon To Aar’, ‘Akasher Hate Achhe Ekrash Nil’, ‘Tumi Amar Praner Cheye Priyo’, and ‘Kichu Kichu Manusher Jibone’.

He worked with almost every singer and music director of Dhallywood.

Gazi Mazharul Anwar was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2002 for his contribution to the country’s cultural arena.

He also 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’ (2003) and ‘Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe’ (2016).