Prince Mahmud

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Prince Mahmud
প্রিন্স মাহমুদ
Born17 July [1]
Khulna, Bangladesh [1]
NationalityBangladeshi
Occupations
  • Composer
  • lyricist
  • music director

Prince Mahmud (born 17 July) is a Bangladeshi lyricist, composer, and music director. [2] [3] Since the 1990s, he has been writing and composing songs for solo and mixed albums by Bangladeshi band artists. Many of his works became widely popular. [4] His first mixed album, Shakti (1995), marked his debut as a composer of mixed albums and achieved immediate success. [5] [6] Over a career spanning more than three decades, Mahmud has released 50 albums, including solo, duet, and mixed works. [7] [8] [9] He is often regarded as one of the most prominent lyricists and composers of his time. [10]

Contents

Mahmud began his career as a lead vocalist, later establishing himself as a composer and lyricist. He produced mixed albums with leading band artists of Bangladesh, many of which achieved notable commercial success. [1] He is widely remembered for his collaborations with prominent singers such as James, Ayub Bachchu, Syed Hasanur Rahman, Khalid, Shafin Ahmed, Fahmida Nabi, Nazmun Munira Nancy, Tahsan Rahman Khan, among others. [5] Some of his most popular songs include "আজ জন্মদিন তোমার" ("Today Is Your Birthday") with Shafin Ahmed; "হিমালয়" ("Himaloy") and "হয়নি যাবার বেলা" ("Not Time to Go") with Khalid; "বাংলাদেশ" ("Bangladesh"), "মা (Mother)", "গুরু" ("Master") and "বাবা" ("Father") with James; and "এতো কষ্ট কেন ভালোবাসায়" ("Why So Much Trouble in Love") with Syed Hasanur Rahman. [5]

Early life

Prince Mahmud was born on 17 July in Khulna District. [11] [12]

Career

Early career: The Blues and From West

Mahmud started band music while still a school student. He was the vocalist and guitarist of a band called The Blues in the 1980s. [11] He began writing and composing songs spontaneously. In the early 1990s, Mahmud formed a band named From West, where he was the lead vocalist. [8] The band released Se Kemon Meye? and the song "Razakar Albadar Kichui Raibo Nare", which received positive critical response. [13] [14] The group later released a second and final album, Abeg , with contributions from Obscure and Different Touch.[ citation needed ] Although Mahmud began as a lead vocalist, he subsequently focused on composing and writing lyrics. Speaking to The Business Standard, he explained his decision to quit singing: "I didn't think my voice was suitable for singing at that time, so I stopped being a lead singer. I prefer not being a singer anymore." [8]

Solo career: mixed album success

Mahmud later turned to producing mixed albums. In 1992, he released his first solo album, Jontrona , in collaboration with Ayub Bachchu and James, under the label Sangeeta. [15] [16] The album cover was designed and illustrated by his childhood friend Kiriti Ranjan Biswas. [17] His second solo album, Rockstars , featured 10 tracks written and composed entirely by him.[ citation needed ]

In 1995, he released his first mixed album, Shakti , which established his reputation as a composer of mixed albums and received both commercial success and critical acclaim. [12] Following Shakti, he released Ora Egaro Jon and Joy Porajoy .[ citation needed ]

After Joy Porajoy, Mahmud released Khoma in 1996 under the label Soundtek. The album featured Maqsoodul Haque performing a song written and composed by Mahmud for the first time. The album received widespread public response and is often cited as one of the most notable mixed albums of the 1990s. [18] [19]

He later released his fourth mixed album, Ghrina ("Hatred"), [20] followed by Bebodhan . [21]

In 1999, he released the mixed album Ekhono Du'Chokhe Bonna , which included the song "Maa" ("Mother"). The song became one of the most popular Bangladeshi songs on the theme of motherhood. [22] [23] In 2000, he composed "Aaj Apan Kal Por" for the album Shrut , marking singer Mizan’s debut. [24] He collaborated again with Maqsoodul Haque in 2001 on the track "Joto Paro Tumi", following their earlier success with "Mon Niye Jontrona" from Khoma. [18]

In October 2020, Mahmud released the single "Alo", featuring Tanzir Tuhin, under the label G-Series. [25] [26] The track was later featured in the 2023 drama Love You Baba, starring Niloy Alamgir. [27] He again collaborated with Tuhin in 2021 on "Anagoto", penned by Samuel Haque and released as a music video under G-Series. [28] In 2022, he released another song on the theme of motherhood, sung by Imran Mahmudul, [22] and reunited with Maqsoodul Haque after 21 years for the single "Shate Pache". [18] [29] In 2023, he collaborated again with Mizan after 22 years on the single "Emon Hoyni Age". [24] [30]

Comeback: re-establishing stardom

In 2023, Mahmud returned to film composition after almost eight years with the song "Eshwar" for Himel Ashraf's Priyotoma , starring Shakib Khan. The lyrics were written by Shomeshwar Oli. [31] [32] For this work, Mahmud received the Babisas Award for Best Music Director. [33]

Impact and recognition

Prominent lyricist and journalist Zulfiqer Russell referred to Mahmud as the "Prince of Bengali song". In an interview with Prothom Alo , he stated, "He is indeed the prince of modern Bangla songs. His fan base includes not only the younger generation but also people of all ages." [5]

Discography

Notable songs

Band mix albums

Solo and collaborative albums

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 প্রিন্স মাহমুদ: বাংলা গানের প্রকৃত প্রিন্স. Newsg24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. "Topu and Kona duet for the first time in Prince Mahmud Mixed". The Daily Star. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  3. "Prince Mahmud composes his first big-budget film track for 'Priyotoma'". The Daily Star. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  4. "Prince Mahmud and Mizan collaborate after 22 years". The Daily Star. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Hossain, Imam (18 July 2020). "Wishes pour in for Prince Mahmud on his birthday". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  6. আজ জন্মদিন প্রিন্স মাহমুদের. Jagonews24 (in Bengali). 27 July 2017. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  7. "The Prince's 50th". The Daily Star. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "'Never again', says Prince Mahmud on being a vocalist". The Business Standard. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  9. প্রিয় ডট কম. Priyo.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 21 July 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  10. 'ঈশ্বর' গানের সুর স্রষ্টা প্রিন্স মাহমুদের জন্মদিন আজ. Samakal (in Bengali). 16 June 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  11. 1 2 সুরের মধ্যে থাকতে চাই, জন্মদিনে প্রিন্স মাহমুদ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 17 July 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  12. 1 2 "The day Prince Mahmud gets 'Aj Jonmodin Tomar' sung to him". UNB. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  13. জন্মদিনে বলা একজন প্রিন্স মাহমুদের গল্প. newsg24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  14. প্রিন্স মাহমুদের জনপ্রিয় দশ গান. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 17 July 2021. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  15. Jontrona by Ayub Bachchu & James on Apple Music, 1 January 2009, retrieved 1 March 2024
  16. "Jontrona by Ayub Bachchu and James". Qobuz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  17. 'আমরা আপনার প্রতি কৃতজ্ঞ, প্রিন্স মাহমুদ'. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 6 April 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 ২১ বছর পর মাকসুদ ও প্রিন্স মাহমুদ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 4 July 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  19. Khoma | ক্ষমা | Various Artist | Full Audio Album | Soundtek , retrieved 26 February 2024
  20. প্রিন্স মাহমুদ এর অসাধারণ এক 'ঘৃণা' অ্যালবাম এর গল্প. bdnews24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  21. Bebodhan | ব্যবধান | Mixed Audio Jukebox | Soundtek , retrieved 12 March 2024
  22. 1 2 ২২ বছর পর প্রিন্স মাহমুদ, মাকে নিয়ে এলো নতুন সব গান. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 8 May 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  23. মাকে নিয়ে গান. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 8 May 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  24. 1 2 ২২ বছর পর প্রিন্স মাহমুদের সুরে মিজান. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 12 April 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  25. Shahnewaz, Sadi Mohammad (24 October 2020). "Prince Mahmud's 'Alo' sheds light on the frailty of life". The Daily Star. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  26. 'আলো' গানের গল্প শোনাবেন প্রিন্স মাহমুদ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 16 April 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  27. Alo | আলো | Prince Mahmud Feat Tanzir Tuhin | Niloy Alamgir | Jannat Shuchi | Natoker Gaan , retrieved 27 February 2024
  28. "Prince Mahmud and Tanzir Tuhin come together for "Anagoto"". The Daily Star. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  29. Akbar, Zahid (6 July 2022). ২০ বছর পরে রেকর্ডিংয়ে মাকসুদ: প্রিন্স মাহমুদের. The Daily Star (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  30. Emon Hoyni Aage (feat. Prince Mahmud) - Single by Mizan on Apple Music, 21 April 2023, retrieved 26 February 2024
  31. শাকিব খানের প্রিয়তমায় প্রিন্স মাহমুদের গান. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  32. "Shomeshwar Oli pens song for 'Priyotoma'". New Age. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  33. নয় ক্যাটাগরিতে বাবিসাসের পুরস্কার পেল 'প্রিয়তমা'. Bonik Barta (in Bengali). 11 September 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  34. অনেক দিন পর প্রিন্সের সুরে মাকসুদ. Ajker Patrika (in Bengali). 5 July 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  35. "Sabina Yasmin named winner of lifetime honour". New Age. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  36. "7th BMJA Music Awards winners revealed". The Business Post. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  37. প্রতিবেদক, বিনোদন (20 May 2025). "চ্যানেল আই মিউজিক অ্যাওয়ার্ডস পেলেন যাঁরা". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 May 2025.