Lyricist Al Mahmud Manjur (known as Mahmud Manjur) has won the Critic’s Choice Lyricist of the Year at the 23rd Cultural Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (CJFB) Awards.
Manjur received this recognition for penning the song Aponjon (Dear One) featured in ‘Onnoyna’, directed by Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raz and starring Mehazabien Chowdhury. The song was composed and arranged by NavedParvez and sung by Pallabi Roy. Released under the banner of Cinemawala on December 14, 2023, the song has garnered nearly 10 million views on YouTube.
The award was presented by legendary singer Rafiqul Alam, alongside lyricist and Executive Director of Nazrul Institute, Latiful Islam Shibli, on December 28, 2023, at the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka.
Reflecting on the achievement, Mahmud Manjur said, “My career as a lyricist spans 20 years, during which I’ve written over a hundred songs. I’ve received immense love from people, but any award in a creative field adds significant inspiration. This recognition will remain one of the key motivators in my journey as a lyricist. I am grateful to the honorable jury members who found me deserving of this award.”
He also expressed his gratitude to director Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raz, composer Naved Parvez, actress Mehazabien Chowdhury, and everyone involved in ‘Onnoyna’.
The vibrant awards ceremony celebrated the best works in drama, film, and music released in 2023.
It’s worth noting that although Mahmud Manjur is primarily a journalist, he has been writing songs since 2002. Over the years, he has composed lyrics for over a hundred songs in films, dramas, and independent productions. He is an enlisted lyricist of Bangladesh Television (BTV). His songs have been performed by legendary artists like Runa Laila and Kumar Bishwajit, as well as contemporary stars such as Kona, ArfinRumi, Porshi, Pintoo Ghosh, Joy Shahriar, Imran, Kishore, Nancy, Belal Khan, Sandhi, Konal, and Rehan Rasul. Renowned Indian singer Silajit has also performed his lyrics.
In addition to songs for dramas and films, Mahmud Manjurhas two full-length mixed albums to his credit: Dhulo’r Gaan(Songs of Dust) and Prithibir Canvas (Canvas of the World). He has been serving as the Arts and Entertainment Editor at the prominent Bangladeshi news portal Bangla Tribune for the past decade.
