Singer-composer-lyricist Syed Waqeel Ahad says, his soul-searching mind finally found peace after he surrendered himself to the ideology of Lalon and bauls. “On the other hand, as a lyricist, I envy Lalon as he already expressed every possible emotions, realisations and experiences of human life with the finest words. Moreover, I envy the time he was born. The technological aggression, environmental pollution and social chaos were absent in his time. I wish to live a life like him surrounded by the serenity of nature,” says Waqeel. His songs mostly deal with nature, human psyche, relationships and social awareness related messages.
Having an academic background at Nazrul Academy why did you choose baul music as your ultimate destination?
I was brought up in an environment enriched with music of all genres: Nazrul, Tagore, Adhunik, classical, western and more. My academic background at Nazrul Academy certainly played an important role to my career. But, that was not enough. I spent a significant part of my life with the bauls living in different parts of the country especially in Kushtia, Mymensingh, Netrakona, Chittagong and greater Sylhet region where I picked up the nuances of baul music and finally become satisfied.
What kind of fusion do you create with baul music?
Well, the word “fusion” makes it easy for people to understand the style of presenting an established genre with different arrangement. I don’t know whether my style of presenting baul music is fusion. I have observed the different tunes and styles of many baul singers during my exploration across the country. My presentation reflects my own interpretations.
Recently, you have released an album “Waqeel-er Gaan.” What is the response like?
The album presents songs written, composed and sung by me. I have fused folk, baul and western music through use of traditional and western musical instruments like dhol, flute, dotara, ghatam, khamak, guitar, drums and key board in this album. The album features romantic, patriotic and rock numbers. The response I’m getting from the listeners is quite satisfactory.
What songs are you going to perform tomorrow at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre?
I will present an array of baul songs by Lalon, Shah Abdul Karim and few others. Also I will sing some of my songs such as Bhola Mon, Jemon Kore Chaibe Tumi and O Amar Desh. I might also sing a few of my unreleased tracks.
Waqeel stepped into the music industry with his song “Cellphone amar cellphone” that was released with the mixed album “Jhalmuri-2” in 2007. He presented songs of the legendary bard Lalon and other bauls in the next album “Project-365” that received kudos from the music lovers of this country and abroad. He has sung five songs for the yet to be released film “Nomuna” directed by Enamul Karim.
Waqeel has also sung five Rabindra Sangeet including one solo and one duet in Shadhona’s mega project - Tagore’s dance drama “Tasher Desh”. The gifted singer has a deep penchant for playing different percussion instruments like flute and dotara.
Waqeel recently represented Bangladesh in the India phase of British Council’s three-year musical project Folk Nations that features fusion of folk songs from different corners of the world. Besides music, the multi-talented artist is also a theatre activist.
He voluntarily worked with many organizations with the aim to save the environment and to promote organic farming and tree plantation.
