# Zulfiqer Russell

Zulfiqer Russell (Bengali: জুলফিকার রাসেল; born 13 November 1977) is a Bangladeshi lyricist and journalist. He is currently the editor of the online news site, The Bangla Tribune. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the film Putro (2018). He was the winner of the Channel i Music Awards in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2022 and also received the Mirchi Music Awards (Bangla) award for the Song of the Year in the Modern Song category for, "Shabuj Chilo". On 2020 he was awarded CJFB Performance Award 2019 as best lyricist. He had also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A. R. Rahman. He wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh.

## Early life and education

Zulfiqer Russell was born on 13 November 1977, in the Dhaka District of Bangladesh. He is the son of Abdus Salam (father) and Saleha Begum (mother). He studied at the Muslim Modern Academy, and graduated from Dhaka City College.

## Career

At the beginning of 1993, Russell's poems were featured in a number of publications including Ajker Kagoj. His first poem was "Kofine Ojoggo Purush". He is the only lyricist in Bangladesh who received an appreciation letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wrote the official welcome song "O Prithibi Ebar Ese Bangladesh Nao Chine" for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. He penned around thousand songs since 1994, many of which were sung by prominent artists. He was one of the top lyricists of the year 2011. Russell is currently the editor of the Bangla Tribune, and has previously written for publications such as The Daily Ittefaq and The Daily Janakantha. He has also worked for Maasranga Television and Bangla newspapers, Daily Amader Shomoy, Ajker Kagoj and Banglabazar Patrika.
In addition to working with fellow Bangladeshi artists, He has also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A R Rahman, he is the first Bangladeshi lyricist who collaborated with A R Rahman. He also work with Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Javed Ali, Palak Muchhal, Benny Dayal, Zubin Garg, Nachiketa, Anjan Dutt, Indranil Sen, Rupankar Bagchi, Raghab Chatterjee, Anwesha, Chinmoyee, Iman Chakrabarty. Zulfiqer Russell wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh. He wrote a theme song 'Joy Bangabandhu' in the Hindi language for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This song is composed and sung by Academy award winner A. R. Rahman. Zulfiqer Russell wrote another theme song 'Hoyeche ki Sonar Bangla' for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He places himself as Publicity and Publication Secretary of Music Alliance Bangladesh (Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh).
He is also active in a various organisation like the Lyricists Association of Bangladesh (Geetikobi Shongho) where he places himself as Organizing Secretary. By this platform they want amendments on copyright law to stop the unauthorized use of lyrics.

## Film appearance

* Akash Koto Durey, 2013. Director: Samia Zaman

## Discography

| Released | Album | Artist | Tune/Composition | Music Arrangements | Production Company |
| January 1997 | Onnorokom Valo | Ahmed Faisal | Moni Zaman | Moni Zaman | Sangeeta |
| December 1999 | Akash Chhoa | Shampa Reza | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| December 2001 | Ekoi Shohore | Bappa Mazumder & Jewel | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| February 2002 | Apekhkhay Theko | Kumar Bishwajit, Baby Naznin, Samina Chowdhury, Kanakchapa, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Bappa Mazumder, Asif & Kaniz Suborna | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| May 2002 | Aaj Brishti Namuk | Baby Naznin, Fahmida Nabi, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Biplob, Bappa, Asif, Pancham, Amitav Kaisar | Bappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, Apu | Bappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, Apu | Soundtek |
| November 2003 | Firti Pothey | Jewel | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder |
| February 2004 | Chhelemanushi | Asif, Agoon & Bappa | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| May 2004 | Du' Poshla Brishti | Indranil Sen (India) & Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| February 2005 | Swapnorani | Asif & Kaniz Suborna | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| April 2005 | Ichchhe Korei Ekshathey | Anjan Dutt (India) & Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| January 2006 | Aanchor | Fahmida Nabi, Shakila Zafar, Jewel, Tipu, Bappa Mazumder & S I Tutul | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | Aarshi, Agnivenna & G Series |
| September 2007 | Abar Pothe Dekha | Anjan Dutt (India), Bappa Mazumder & S I Tutul | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | Soundtek |
| April 2008 | Bhango Moner Dana | Bappa Mazumder, Jewel & Indranil Sen (India) | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Soundtek |
| September 2008 | Kheyal | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul & Arnob | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | Bappa Mazumder, S I Tutul | ATN Music |
| September 2009 | Phoring | Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder, Mahadi & Bishwajit | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | ATN Music |
| February 2010 | Ek Mutho Gaan | Bappa Mazumder & Fahmida Nabi | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | G Series |
| August 2010 | Poroshpor | Samina Chowdhury, Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder & Rupankar | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | G Series |
| July 2012 | Akash Debo Kaakey | Tareen, Tapan Chowdhury, Raghab, Rupankar & Ibrar Tipu | Joy Sarker, Bappa Mazumder, Rupankar, Ibrar Tipu & Belal Khan | Joy Sarker, Indrajit Dey, Bappa Mazumder, Ibrar Tipu & Mushfiq Litu | G Series |
| August 2012 | Poroshpor-2 | Samina Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Sonu Nigam (India) & Javed Ali (India) | Joy Sarker, Pilu Khan & Rupankar | Joy Sarker & Indrajit Dey | Agniveena & G Series |
| July 2013 | Ichchhe Hoy | Fahmida Nabi | Naquib Khan & Pilu Khan | Tamal Chakrabarty | Agniveena & G Series |
| October 2013 | Cholo Baanchi, Benche Thakar Moto, Type: Soft Melody | Samina Chowdhury | Naquib Khan, Pilu Khan, Rupankar & Raghab | Indrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty |
| July 2014 | Aaj Ki Brishti Hobe | Tina | Raghab Chatterjee, Ibrar Tipu & Belal Khan | Indrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty | Laser Vision |
| July 2014 | Bari Ferar Tara | Raghab Chatterjee | Raghab Chatterjee | Indrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty | Laser Vision |
| July 2014 | Aaraley | Kanakchapa | Naquib Khan, Moinul Islam Khan & Pilu Khan | Tamal Chakrabarty | Laser Vision |
| August 2014 | Benche Thakar Jonne | Rupankar Bagchi | Rupankar Bagchi | Indrajit Dey | Laser Vision |
| February 2015 | Neel Jhinuker Kham | Fahmida Nabi & Rupankar Bagchi | Rupankar Bagchi | Indrajit Dey | Laser Vision |
| July 2015 | Ekta Bondhu Chai | Samina Chowdhury & Raghab | Raghab Chatterjee | Indrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty | Laser Vision |
| September 2016 | Amar Ichchhe Kothay | Imran & Palak Muchhal | Imran Mahmudul | Imran Mahmudul | Soundtek |
| June 2017 | Benche Thakar Maane | Nachiketa | Nachiketa | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | Aasha Audio |
| November 2017 | Lage Buke Lage | Imran Mahmudul & Anwesshaa | Imran Mahmudul | Imran Mahmudul | Dhruba Music |
| January 2018 | Bhalo Theko | Jayati Chakraborty | Nachiketa | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | Aasha Audio |
| February 2019 | Shesh Din | Tahsan & Tina Russell | Tahsan Khan | Sajid Sarker | CD Choice |
| December 2019 | Keno Eto Bhabcho | Imran & Palak Muchhal | Imran Mahmudul | Imran Mahmudul | Soundtek |
| December 2020 | Chokher Bhetor | Tina Russell | Ridwan Nabi Pancham | Ridwan Nabi Pancham | ZuTi Music |
| February 2021 | Parbo Na | Tina Russell | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | ZuTi Music |
| March 2021 | Ektai Ache Desh | Fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh | Sajid Sarkar | Sajid Sarkar | The People's Republic of Bangladesh |
| March 2021 | Amar Shonar Bangla | A R Rahman | A R Rahman | A R Rahman | The People's Republic of Bangladesh |
| May 2021 | Akash Amar Jochona Amar | Pilu Khan | Pilu Khan | RENAISSANCE | Dhruba Music Station |
| December 2021 | Hoyechhe Ki Sonar Bangla | Aditi Mohsin, Sharmin Sultana Sumi, Lincon D Costa & Jahid Nirob | Pavel Areen | Pavel Areen | The People's Republic of Bangladesh |
| December 2021 | Agami 50 (Next50) | Lincon D Costa, Nirob, Masha Islam, Tashfi, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Oyshee, Salman, Innima, Yar Hossain, Shanto, Sagar, Nibir | Pavel Areen | Pavel Areen | Shah Cement |
| February 2022 | Ki Sundor Kore Bolle | Tina Russell | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Imran Mahmudul | Soundtek |
| February 2022 | Jani To Shohoj Noy | Fahmida Nabi | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Ridwan Nabi Pancham | ZuTi Music |
| February 2022 | Chetonar Ekushe Bangla-ke Bhalobeshe | Kona, Nirab, Masha Islam, Dipen Mahajan, Tonu, Yar Hossain, Sagar | Pavel Areen | Pavel Areen | Shah Cement |
| March 2022 | Joy Bangladesh | A R Rahman | A R Rahman | A R Rahman | Bangladesh Cricket Board |
| March 2022 | EktuKhani Kostho Diteo | Samina Chowdhury | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Ridwan Nabi Pancham | ZuTi Music |
| March 2022 | Ichchhe Holei Dio | Imran Mahmudul and Tina Russell | Imran Mahmudul | Imran Mahmudul | Soundtek |
| December 2022 | Bangladesh Awami League (Theme Song) | Pantha Kanai, Chandana Mojumdar, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Masha Islam | Pavel Areen | | Office Cell, Bangladesh Awami League |
| February 2023 | Kichhu Nei Jaar | Tina Russell | Bappa Mazumder | Bappa Mazumder | Bee Emmz Workstation |
| March 2023 | FBCCI Theme Song (50 years) | Pantha Kanai, Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum, Tashfee, Abanti Shithi, Nasrin Nasha | Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum | Tanveer Khan | Pop Up |
| June 2023 | Shey Ekta Gaachh | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | ZuTi Music |
| June 2023 | Shudhu Bhalobashai Shob No | Iman Chakraborty | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | Tunai Debasish Ganguly | ZuTi Music |
| September 2023 | Ami Bhalo Nei | Samina Chowdhury | Nachiketa Chakraborty | Ridwan Nabi Pancham | ZuTi Music |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
| 2008 | Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2008 | Citycell-Channel i Music Awards | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2009 | Dhaka Cultural Reporters Unity | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2010 | Citycell-Channel i Music Awards | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2013 | Citycell-Channel i Music Awards | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2017 | Mirchi Music Awards Bangla | Song of the year (Modern song) | Won |
| 2018 | Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2019 | CJFB Performance Award | Best Lyricist | Won |
| 2022 | Channel i Music Awards | Best Lyricis (Thematic song) | Won |