Fazle Rabbi Khan

Nishith Ranjan Sinha, popularly known as Nishith Surjo, is a talented young musician. Already, he has two successful albums: ‘Amar Nandini’ and ‘Shoishob’. And his third, ‘Amader Ek Kilo’ is coming out soon. His idols include Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar, while his muses are his mother and brother.
Surjo, 35, has a masters degree in anthropology from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and is doing a second masters from Dhaka University in Television and Film Studies. He is now working as a newsroom editor at a private TV channel. However, he wants to be known for his songs. Y&I recently caught up him for an interview.

How did you get into the music business?

From my early childhood, I used to love listening to music. I can remember, at the time, I used to enjoy songs by Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar. So, from my very early life, I was fond of music. And then my mother and elder brother sensed that I have the temperament to be a singer. They inspired me to learn music. So, I started taking music lessons from a local teacher. That is how I started my journey in the music business.

What has been the hardest part in getting your music out there?

Well, behind every success, there must be obstacles. I also I had to face that. My father was not happy about my passion. He did not like me doing music and singing songs. He thought that practising music or songs would disturb the neighbours! That is why he was a bit reluctant about it. I would say that was the hardest part of my journey into the music world.

Who are your idols, and who are your inspirations?

There are particularly few singers who are my idols. Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Hariharan and Kumar Biswajit, they are my idols as they showed me the way I should go, and how.
My mother and brother are my inspirations. They always give me support to forge ahead.
What’s your outlook on the record industry today?

About the audio industry, I will say, the pattern is changing. Once, we had a marvellous record industry. Nowadays, there are alternative ways to release songs and albums. Such new ways benefit the music creator, and at the same time, the audiences get the expected songs. Besides, the quality of music is also improving. I do believe the future of Bangladesh’s music industry is bright.  

What do you think about downloading music online?

Yes, downloading music, which means pirating music, is still there. It is hard to stop, but possible. Musicians and the authorities need to be more careful about that. Obviously, music-lovers should appreciate and give credit to the music creators for their hard work and buy songs in a proper way.

What advice would you give to other singers trying to get a start?

For the freshers, I would say, don’t depend on any reality show to become a popular singer. For me, anyone who wants to become a singer should start from zero.

How do you maintain your voice?

I usually practise twice a day. I think that is the best way to keep my vocal chords in shape!
Tell us about your debut album.

Interestingly, my very first release was a video album, called ‘Amar Nandini’. But my first audio album was ‘Shoishob’. It was a duet album, with Rezwana Mowly. It was challenging for me as I was the music composer as well as the lyricist.

Please tell us about your current and next project.

Right now, I am busy with my next album, which will be released soon. The name of the album is ‘Amader Ek Kilo – A Story from SUST’. And then, hopefully, I will be busy making music videos for some selected songs.

What do you consider your biggest achievements so far?

Well, I have had a few achievements. I became ‘university champion’ in a SUST study week. In 2000, I secured the first position in a competition, named ‘Tarar Khojey’, on Ekushey TV. I won a gold medal in the folk music category in an inter-university competition on Bangladesh Television (BTV). Also, I came third in the category of patriotic music in the same competition. In 2004, I was selected, along with three others from Bangladesh, for a ‘Jatin-Lalit Music Composer’ contest of Hindi songs in Kolkata. I became first in a ‘new artist search’ contest of famous composer Alam Khan in 2005. And in 2010, I received the ‘Best New Music Artist’ award in the 7th Citycell Channel I Music Awards.

What are your future goals?

Human beings are mortal. Everyone will die. I will also die one day. But some people live forever through their works. I want to live forever through my music.