'I dedicate the award to my mother'

In the world of music, lyricist Robiul Islam Jibon's journey of more than a decade and a half, which is still ongoing. It started with two songs titled 'Bharatiya Chai' and 'Valobasi Bole' in Asif Akbar's 'Hridaye Raktaksaran' album released in 2007. They were very popular at that time. The next story is as if life has arranged itself. Numerous hits and acclaimed songs, along with numerous awards. As a lyricist, he has taken almost all the achievements as his own. This time the National Film Award has been added to his bag. He received the award for the song 'Dheere Dheere' from the movie 'Paran' released in 2022. This popular singer of the country has told various unknown stories of award and music life.

Details written by Mizanur Rahman, Asian Age

Robiul Islam Jibon

Q: Received the National Film Award from the Prime Minister as the best lyricist. The feeling must be wonderful?

A: This is the best achievement of my musical life. Still in a daze, in a dream. There was a dream, there was an expectation, I did not think that it would be fulfilled so quickly. Thanks to Allah. I remember all those who paved the way for me in various ways, helped me, and gave me love to come this far. Appreciation and thanks to all. I think this award belongs to everyone involved in my life.

Q: Who is the award dedicated to?

A: I dedicate the award to my mother, who brought me up with so much pain, because of which I saw the light of the world. The happiest thing is that this is the first time I have gone to an event with my mother. My elder sister, wife and daughter were with me. Receiving the award from the Prime Minister in front of them was one of the best moments of my life. The day will be unique in the memory frame.

Q: Your mother plays the biggest role in your growth. What are her feelings?

A: I lost my father when I was four years old. My mother has brought me this far with great difficulty. I received such an award while my mother was still alive, and accepted it in front of her, which gave me more peace. That day I put the award medal around my mother's neck. It's a different feeling. It cannot be expressed verbally.

Q: When and in what context did you write the song 'Dhire Dhire' for which you received the award for the song of the movie 'Paran?

A: I wrote the song in 2017. At that time Raihan Rafi Bhai was working on the movie 'Dahan'. He is the one who approached me for the song. Emon Chowdhury had composed the tune of this song earlier. As a result, I had to write on that tune. There are many limitations in this regard. However, I tried to make a beautiful story. Anyone who writes songs knows how difficult it is to write a good lyric over a melody. Luipa provided vocals on the song in the initial recording. We were very excited about the song till then. But Rafi Bhai suddenly said that the song would be more suitable for his next film 'Paraan'. 

It is left for that. Actually, when we were working on the song, there was a discussion with Eamon that it could be something good, could be in the award list. But when the song was finished, I felt bad thinking that I had worked so hard, but nothing was happening. At one point Eamon thought of releasing the song on his YouTube channel. In the meantime, Rafi Bhai contacted again for the song. The song was finally released in 2022. Melody, music, singer create expectations in my mind about the song. After the release, I got a lot of love from people and finally this award. Thanks Rafi Bhai for linking me to the work. Emon Chowdhury's tunes and music and Luipar's vocals complete the song. I think this award is mine as well as theirs.

Q: Many of the songs written by you in movies have become popular. Why is the number of your songs on the silver screen relatively low?

A: I will probably have thirty songs in total in the movie. Most of the audience accepted. But to be honest, my interest in writing songs for movies was not strong from the beginning of my career. I wrote songs for the first movie in 2010. I had a shock there. Besides, I have always wanted to write good songs in good movies. I wanted the song to be good rather than a hit. So the number of songs is actually less due to those demands. But I have no regrets about this low. Rather, there is joy.

Q: Now I want to hear the story of the beginning of your song...

A: I was born and brought up in Noakhali. However, songwriting started in Chittagong. 1 was studying in Chittagong Commerce College. And by tutoring, teaching in coaching, I pay for my studies and all expenses. I used to listen to a lot of music at that time. But I used to listen to the music as well as read the lyrics on the cover of the cassette by heart. I tried to understand how it was written. I remember the day clearly, September 4, 2002; I was returning home from college. Suddenly some lines come to mind. I write it when I go home. And I thought I had written a song! A great passion, insanity came to him. I kept thinking how to publish this song. I used to call different composers of Dhaka from Chittagong. I requested But this is not the case. And then the writing was raw. I continued to write. Once there were about fifty songs in the song book. With that, I moved to Dhaka in 2004. But I had no relatives in this city. I got shelter in Dhaka with the help of a friend. After three consecutive years of indescribable struggle and effort, the desired dream was fulfilled in 2007; Two of my songs featured in Asif's 'Hridaye Raktaksaran' album. That's the beginning. I am eternally grateful to respected Pallava Sanyal and Rajesh Ghosh Dada, composers of both the songs.

Q: You gained popularity and awards. What do you want to pay attention to in writing at this stage?

A: I came to Dhaka just to write a song. Then again and again I thought, I will be blessed if someone sings a song written by me. Since then so many songs, so many achievements, love, rewards, the creator has given many things. My only goal at this stage is to write more beautiful lyrics than before. I want to write some songs that shake the world of people's thoughts and affect them in a positive way.

Q: What are your favorite songs written by yourself?

A: It's hard to pick a favorite from the songs you've written. Even then, if I say 'Jole utho Bangladesh', 'Dewale Dewale', 'Rathvor', 'Dhere Dhere', 'Kau na januk', 'Mon Karigor', 'Nodipath', 'Aj Bristir Din', "Tumi Chok mele takale', 'Chokeri Poloke' 'Ek mutho Shopno' 'Boka Mon' 'Jodi' 'Ken Eta Chai Toke', 'Sesh Shuchona', 'Chile Amer', 'Amar A Man', 'Ken Berebare', 'Meghla Dupure', 'Megherei Khame', 'Bristi elei aso tui', 'Bharatia chai', 'Firbo na aj bari', 'Ami nei amate', 'Jabi kato dur', 'Ki kori", "Mane na mon', 'Janam Janam', 'Keno Ajkal', 'Amar matan ke acho bolo', 'Anek toh katha cilo', 'Barud", 'Kono mane nei toh', 'Aasal Chaira nakal range' etc.