It was 16 November 1971, the month of Ramadan. A boy of 15 years was imprisoned by the Pakistani military along with 46 more prisoners. In the evening, suddenly the door opened and a Pakistani military officer named Captain Ali Reza entered. He ordered the prisoners to come out and line up. He separated 43 prisoners in a line and separated the little boy and the other three prisoners in another line. A Brigadier named Saad Ullah was standing near the boy. The boy frightfully asked, Why are you separating them? The Brigadier told him as the 43 prisoners were caught earlier, he would execute them that day. But they captured the boy and the three others after a week. That’s why he will execute them after three days. Brigadier Saad Ullah was straight to his answer. So, the little boy said to the Brigadier, “Thanks”.
Can you wonder, what is the name of the little boy who dared to participate in the Liberation War at such a tender age with so much courage and passion for the motherland? He is no one but Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul. The man who has uplifted the music industry of Bangladesh to such an extent that none ever even imagined. Being such a legendary music director, he composed songs for over a hundred films. His first breakthrough was the movie “Noyoner Alo”. He composed six songs for the movie and all of the songs turned into mega hits. Besides he collaborated with several renowned personalities such as Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila, Khalid Hasan Milu, Andrew Kishore, Seminal Chowdhury, Kanak Chapa, and so on.
Though all of his songs were tremendously popular. Yet some special ones still have a deep place in the core of thousands of hearts. Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin, Shob Kota Janala Khule Deo Na, Pore Na Chokher Polok, Ammajan Ammajan, Amar Gorur Garite Bou Shajiye, Ghumiye Thako Go Shojoni, Jago Bangladesh Jago, and Chithi Likheche Bou Amar. For his prominent contribution to the music industry of Bangladesh, he achieved the highest honorary Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director (2001, 2005), Ekushey Padak (2010), and President’s Award.
Nonetheless, this renowned person gained such achievements. Even so, the journey was not as smooth as it seemed. From the prison of the Pakistan Military to today’s legendary music director there were obstacles like mountains to his path. Let’s know the incredible life story of such a legend.
Early Life & Background
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul was born on 1 January 1956 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His father was Wafiz Ahmed and his mother’s name was Efad Ara Nazimun Nesa. He has two brothers. They are Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed Tutul and Ahmed Miraz. Imtiaz spent his childhood in Dhaka with his family. He was very dear to his parents and siblings. Imtiaz completed his schooling at West End High School in Azimpur, Dhaka. Later, he finished his graduation after the Liberation War.
From a very early age, Imtiaz had a great passion for his motherland. He always dreamt of freeing his country from the tremendous torture of the Pakistani military. His heart used to feel the ache for the martyrs and the oppressed people of his country. That’s the reason, he decided on something severe that was beyond imagination for everyone. At the age of just fifteen, he was determined to go for the Liberation War.
Fifteen is the age when a boy is mostly obsessed with playing in the open field. This is the age when a boy is covered with the affection of their parents. When they spend their time idly gossiping with their friends, enjoying life without any worry. At such a tender age, Imtiaz intended to go for such a threatening war without any fear. Even though he was raised by his parents quite affectionately. Still, he ignored all the comfort to save his motherland.
Participating in the Liberation War of Bangladesh
Wafiz Ahmed was a proud father blessed with two brave sons who didn’t even care about the severe fear of the battlefield. Bulbul’s elder brother Iftekhar Uddin Ahemd fought the war under the Crack Platoon of Mukti Bahini. Where Bulbul served under the command of Major Abu Taher Mohammad Haidar in Sector 2. Khoka, Manik, and Mahbub were his friends who also participated in the Liberation War. They took training in Agartala and used to do Reiki together. Their main task was to look for how many forts the Pakistani invaders built on the road from Comilla to Brahmanbaria.
After “Operation Searchlight” of the Pakistan Army on 25 March 1971, Bulbul and his friends built a small group of freedom fighters. They stole weapons from the Pakistani invaders for their group. Bulbul formed their base in Jinjira, Dhaka. In July, the group executed their first operation by lobbing a grenade near Gate 1 of Newmarket at a Pakistani Army lorry. Next month they went for training in India. After returning to Dhaka, they formed a guerilla group titled “Y (Young) Platoon”. In October 1971, they were caught by the Pakistani invaders while going back to India for further training. They placed him in a jail in Mymensingh and declared to execute them. The Pakistani invaders and Razakars used to torture them brutally. On 16 November Brigadier Saad Ullah declared to execute them after three days. Bulbul faced the darkest night of his life as he witnessed the mass execution of 39 Mukti Bahini prisoners by the Pakistani invaders. That’s the time when Bulbul and his fellow soldiers took the most crucial decision of their lives.
The Pakistani invaders used to take the prisoners from the jail to the residence of Dana Miah. The residence served as a Razakar camp and the local office of the East Pakistan Central Peace Committee. They used to use the place as a torture cell for the Mukti Bahini prisoners to torture them. That night, they took Bulbul and his other fellow soldiers to the camp. During that moment, they determined to go for a daring step. They jumped in, wrested all of their weapons from the Pakistani invaders, and escaped. That moment was the most unforgettable moment of Bulbul’s life.
Luckily all of his fellow soldiers could run away from that devastating night. Even though facing death so close, they didn’t step back. They served their motherland till the end of the war with their blood and soul and finally in December 1971, they snatched victory from the Pakistani invaders.
Witness of War Crime
Even after the independence of the country, the lives of the freedom fighters were not safe. The Pakistani invaders and their fellows of Razakar Bahini became a great threat to the witnesses of War Crimes. Bulbul was not out of that list as well. As he testified against Ghulam Azam, the convicted former Jamaat chief in the International Crimes Tribunal, he became the top on the threat list. After proceeding through the testimony as a witness, he started to receive several death threats. As a consequence, his younger brother was killed and later his dead body was found in Dhaka near the Kuril overpass. The incident shook Bulbul from within. Soon, he felt the need to ensure his security and urged the government for that. Later, the Bangladesh government gave its complete support to ensure the security of Bulbul Ahmed and all of the witnesses of war crimes.
Contributions
Patriotic Songs
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul started his career through patriotic songs. In divine love of his motherland, he continued making songs for his nation for more than eight years. He penned and composed almost all of his songs with great affection. O Majhi Nao Chaira De, Shundor Shuborno Tarunno Labonno, Shei Rail Liner Dhare, Shob Kota Janala Khule Dao Na, Mago Ar Tomake Ghum Parani Mashi Hote Debo Na, Ektara Lage Na Amar and so on are some of the tremendously popular songs of Bulbul. Most of his patriotic songs were given voice by Sabina Yasmin. Her beautiful voice gave the song wings to the listeners. Among all of his patriotic songs, Ekattorer Ma Jononi was the most famous one. The song was sung by two renowned singers Agun and Runa Laila. This song had its impact so intensely on the audience that even after decades it has a beautiful place in every music lover’s heart
Film Songs
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul started his journey as a composer in films in 1978. “Megh Bijli Badol” was his first film as a music director. In 1984, he gained immense recognition through his outstanding work on the film “Noyoner Alo”. But the film was not so easy to gain. Bulbul always talked about how hard he tried to gain the task. Luckily his efforts paid off and he got the opportunity to work on the songs of the film. After getting his dream project, he didn’t let go of any moment worthless. Bulbul worked heart and soul and soon his fate turned into shining. He came into the limelight for his prominent work. Bulbul penned and composed four songs and surprisingly all of the songs “Amar Sara Deho Kheyo Go Mati, Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin, Amar Buker Modhyekhane, and Ami Tomar Duti Chokhe became mega hits. All of these songs were given voice by two famous singers Andrew Kishore and Samina Chowdhury. For this notable work, Samina Chowdhury even got the Bachsas Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
After this tremendous popularity, Bulbul never had to look back. He got back-to-back films and continued his success journey by composing for more than 350 films in his 39 years of film journey as a renowned music director. In this prominent journey, he composed songs for several popular films such as Akhi Milon, Nobab, Ogo Bideshini, Jibon Dhara, Sakkhi Proman, Danga, Moroner Pore, Bikkhov, Mohot, Desh Premik, Bir Shontan, Hulia, Baghinir Konya, Mayer Adhikar, Tomake Chai, Anondo Osru, Praner Cheye Priyo, Ammajan, Biyer Phool, Ononto Bhalobasha and so on. During this journey, some notable music personalities also accompany Bulbul to get up on the stairs. In the film, Desh Premik, Azad Rahman was there to compose songs along with him. Later, Anupam Dutta in Banglar Bodhu and Alauddin Ali in Dui Rongbazz accompanied him in composition.
Just like the prominent journey in the 90’s, Bulbul also shined in the 20s as well. From 2000 to 2017, he directed music for more than 86 films. Among them, Aaj Gaye Holud, Heera Chuni Panna, Abbajan, Itihaash, Premer Taj Mohol, Wrong Number, Amar Swapno Tumi, Dui Noyoner Alo, Hajar Bochor Dhore, Na Bologna, Matir Thikana, Pora Mon, Podmo Patar Jol, Angaar and Ohongkar were the most popular ones. Among them, the film Ohongkar was the most memorable one as this was the last film as music director of this music legend.
Most Popular Film Songs
In his vast journey, Bulbul gifted the nation back-to-back melodious songs. Ami tomari premo bhikhari, O amar pran kande, Ailo darun fagunre, Ami tomar duti chokhe, Amar ekdike prithibi, Tomae dekhle mone hoi, Tui chara ke ache amar, Amar jaaner jaan abbajan, Prem kokhono modhur, Prithibir jonmo jedin theke and so on are the most popular ones. Moreover, Bulbul made the love songs go divinely by making some enormous songs. Pore na chokher polok, Je prem shorgo theke eshe, Ononto prem tumi dao amake, Tumi amar jibon, Tumi amar jibon, tumi hajar phooler majhe, amar hridoy ekta ayna, Tumi mor jiboner bhabona and the list goes on.
Uttore Voyongkor Jongol, Bidyaloy moder bidyaloy, Ei jogot shongshare, Amae onek boro degree dise, Tumi shutoy bedhecho shapla phool, Nodi chae cholte, Chithi likheche bou amar and so on. These are the songs that placed a special love in the core of every heart. These “Adhunik songs” made him tremendously popular to the new generation as well.
Albums
Besides creating around a thousand evergreen film songs, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul published his albums as well. In his career, he published a total of nine albums. O Majhi Nao Chaira De, Shikari, Maa Janani, Drishti Bhora Drishti, Abar Keno Pichu Daako, Bukta Amar Bhanga Bari, Bijoyer Prapti, Dui Chokhe Dui Nodi, and Yeh Dil Tumhi Ko Diya. Just like his famous film songs, his albums also got huge fame through his fans.
Personal Life
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul was a light of thousands of hearts. He owned a beautiful heart that is reigning over his fans even after his death. The way he interacted with his colleagues and fans made him even more praiseworthy. He was absolutely an incredible personality in his real life just the way he was at his work.
Bulbul married a beautiful lady who always withheld him during all his ups and downs. She is a renowned singer and actress Shabnam. This beautiful couple was blessed with two sons, Samir Imtiaz Mon and Imran. Even though Bulbul always kept his personal life out of the limelight. Still, his love and care for his lovely family were not hidden from anyone. Till his last breath, he was always concerned for the love of his family and motherland the most.
Legacy
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul is a name of pride for the nation. Directing over 350 films and more than thousands of songs, he became one of the most iconic legends of Bangladesh’s music industry. Moreover, the way he turned a blind eye to all the vicious threats and jumped to the most dangerous war the country had ever faced, made him the hero of his people. It was his enormous hard work and dedication to the country that made him worthy of tremendous acceptance by the entire nation.
Bulbul raised his honor even higher as he was determined to dedicate his whole life to the betterment of his motherland. That’s the reason he refused to take a single penny for patriotic songs during his entire career. He even devoted himself to making heart-whelming patriotic songs consequently for more than eight years after the liberation war. It is his utmost unwavering work that made him capable of gaining back-to-back 15 highly prestigious honorary awards in his lifetime.
Awards
Just as Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul dedicated all his life to the betterment of music and his motherland, his country didn’t forget to elevate this legend with dignity as well. He was honored with all of the highest honorary awards in his prominent journey. Bulbul received the highest honorary “Bangladesh National Film Award” two times. In 2010, he achieved Ekushey Padak in the entertainment arena. He was also honored with the Bachsas Awards 11 times. Bulbul also won the Shikha Anirban Award (the highest honor conferred by the Bangladesh Armed Forces) and the President’s Award
Unknown Facts
- When Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul determined to go to the liberation war, he was only fourteen and a half years old.
- Bulbul began his musical journey in 1970 as a composer on Bangladesh Television through patriotic songs.
- He continued his musical journey by composing patriotic songs for constantly eight years out of his immense devotion to his homeland.
- In his entire career, he never agreed to take any payment for patriotic songs as the symbol of a great love for his motherland.
- For three seasons, Bulbul was a judge on a talent show titled “Closeup 1 Tomakei Khujche Bangladesh”.
- Bulbul was honored with the highest honor conferred by the Bangladesh Armed Forces “Shikha Anirban Award” and the “President’s Award”.
Death
“So that you don’t forget me, I am reminding you of my face by posting a photo”. Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul wrote it by sharing his picture holding a green passport on his Facebook profile. Did he realize his breath was coming to despair? No one knows, but Bulbul couldn’t recognize the feelings of thousands of hearts. Had he ever thought about how his people would forget the Bulbul (songbird) of their motherland?
The country was informed of the most regretful news as Bulbul left the world on 22 January 2019. He was battling with severe cardiac arrest for a long time. Though Bulbul defeated the vicious enemies of his motherland by fighting so hard. But this time, he had to embrace fate by bringing tears to thousands of eyes.
Conclusion
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul is not just a name, he is a hero, a fighter, and a precious feeling of crore hearts. The songbird of Bangla music placed his aura with such shine that the nation could never turn its eye on him. No matter how far time flies, as far as the green-red will fly, the Bulbul (songbird) will live in the hearts forever.