::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Music

Poetry in Music

Elita Karim

According to Plato at the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet, a notion that continues to be validated even in present times. Recent album launches in the local music scene, however, show that it is not only the euphoric side of love that inspires musicians to write songs, frustration over unrequited love or even vengeance can be themes for lyricists. Even an abusive word or two may creep in for effect, as is the case in one of the songs on a particular album recently released from a popular and well-reputed music label.

Listening to Azizul Abedin's first self-titled album, produced and distributed by Sangeeta, one notices a mixture of emotions. Written and tuned by Azizul Abedin himself, the set of ten songs in this album has been composed by the famous Fuad Ibne Rabbi. Rather than the compositions, which includes a soothing mix of soft instruments and subtle melodies, this album would probably attract music listeners more for its intense lyrics than the music.

Abedin relates several stories through his words. Where musicians tend to write about the hurt within, inflicted upon them by the unfair world, cruel nature and their insensitive beloveds, Azizul Abedin writes about the pain that he might have inflicted on someone. In Aami Ashbo Bole, Abedin talks about an afternoon when his beloved stands by the window waiting for him to come and pull her close. By dusk, she finally realises that he would never come.

In Kichu Bolo, Abedin asks the world to stop talking about dreams, flowers, birds and all the beautiful elements on earth. Life is definitely not a bed of roses. Why not talk about the bitterness experienced in love, why not glance at the tears for once instead of the smile, why not think about the destruction caused by the deadly rivers and simply forget about it's superficial beauty? In this song, Abedin asks people to stop daydreaming and come forward to speak the truth.

In spite of urging the world to take off it's mask and reflect on bitter reality, Abedin himself stops in his tracks and wonders about a world that could have been his. Probably one of his best-written lyrics in the album, Durjoger Raat, Abedin remembers a soothing evening during a dark and stormy night.

Azizul Abedin's work in his self-titled album may not have introduced a fresh sound, but has definitely done a praiseworthy job in terms of his lyrics. However, the music label has been unsuccessful in distributing enough copies of this album to the market. Though it has been a few months since the album has been launched, due to lack of marketing and promotion, many music listeners are not aware of this new musician on the block. Many of the major outlets in the city, unfortunately, have also not been informed of this album.

In an era where technology has popularised digital music amongst the musicians and music listeners, Abedin's meaningful words have gone a long way to reiterate human pathos in music.