Published: 10:44 AM, 26 August 2026
Arafat: A Reclusive Creative Artisan
Very little is discussed about the work of sound engineers in Bangladesh’s music industry. Yet the success of a song or a live concert, as well as the audience’s overall experience, depends heavily on sound. Despite this, the craftsmen behind the sound have traditionally remained behind the scenes.
Arafat Kirti is one such quiet and creative professional. He is a music producer, mixing and mastering engineer, and live sound engineer. Over the years, he has built an extensive body of work in both Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
His journey began with studio-based music production. As a music producer and mixing and mastering engineer, he has worked on numerous songs, albums, and original soundtracks. Many of these projects have been commercially released and have also gained considerable popularity among listeners.
One of the defining characteristics of his work is his ability to preserve an artist’s individuality, the beauty of the music, and the natural sound of musical instruments while bringing them to the standards of modern digital sound.
One of the most notable examples of his work in Bangladesh’s music industry can be found in the soundtracks of films released during the last Eid-ul-Fitr. Arafat Kirti handled the mixing and mastering of the official soundtracks of four major films during that Eid. These included the title track of Prince; Shuddhatar Prem, Kalki, and Ami Rakshas from Rakshas; Ei Mon Tomake Dilam 2.0 from Dum; and Khoye Khoye from Pressure Cooker.
His experience in the studio eventually led him into the world of live sound. Working on large stages, he came to realize that live sound is not merely a technical discipline; it is also an art that requires creative decisions in response to the energy and dynamics of the moment.
The primary responsibility of a skilled live sound engineer is to ensure that the unique emotions and character of every voice, every instrument, and the overall performance reach the audience exactly as intended.
Arafat Kirti has distinguished himself through his ability to balance the subtle melodies of South Asian music, the natural warmth of vocals, and the authentic sound of acoustic instruments with modern digital sound systems. This expertise has enabled him to present South Asian music in a contemporary, international-quality sound while preserving its distinctive character and cultural essence.
At present, Arafat Kirti is also regularly involved in various cultural events across the United Kingdom. He works as a live sound engineer at events organized by Anandadhara Arts, Pinro Media, and Nandan Arts.
At concerts in London featuring Bangladesh’s legendary band Souls and popular band Chirkutt, his sound engineering has played an important role in naturally conveying the emotions of the music between the artists and the audience. He has also worked at concerts featuring renowned South Asian artists such as Srikanta Acharya and Anup Jalota.
His continued involvement in these events has made him a trusted name among South Asian cultural event organizers in the United Kingdom.
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Arafat Kirti’s work is that he does not view technology merely as a tool. In his view, technology serves as a bridge between an artist’s vision and the audience’s emotions.
By combining his experience in studio music production with the ability to make real-time decisions on live stages, he has developed his own distinctive “sound philosophy.” It is this philosophy, together with his technical expertise and creative approach, that has enabled him to establish a special place among music lovers in both Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
