# Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul

Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul (1 January 1956 – 22 January 2019) was a Bangladeshi lyricist, composer and music director, active since the late 1970s. He was a freedom fighter who joined the Bangladesh Liberation War at the age of 15. He won Ekushey Padak and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director twice for the films Premer Taj Mahal (2001) and Hajar Bachhor Dhore (2005).

## Early life

Bulbul was born on 1 January 1956 in Dhaka. He studied at West End High School in Azimpur, Dhaka.

## Career

Bulbul's compositions include a number of works for films, beginning with 1978's Megh Bijli Badol.
He has also released independent albums and created works for a number of Bangladeshi performers, including Samina Chowdhury and Andrew Kishore.
He was a judge on the talent show Closeup 1 Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh for three seasons.

## Discography

Selected composed film songs
| Film | Song | Picturised | Singer |
| Golam | "Duti Mone Lege Geche Jura" | Shakib Khan, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishor |
| Praner Cheye Priyo | "Je Prem Shorgo Theke Ashe" | Riaz, Ravina | Kanak Chapa, Khalid Hassan |
| Praner Cheye Priyo | "Porena Chokher Polok Ki" | Riaz, Ravina | Andrew Kishore |
| Premer Taj Mahal | "Ei Buke Boichhe Jamuna" | Riaz, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Monir Khan |
| Hajar Bachhor Dhore | "Tumi Sutoi Bedhechho Shapla" | Riaz, Shashi | Subir Nandi, Anupoma |
| Phool Nebo Na Ashru Nebo | "Amar Hridoy Ekta Ayna Ei" | Shakib Khan, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore |
| Phool Nebo Na Ashru Nebo | "Bidi Tumi Bole Daw Ami Kar" | Shakib, Amin Khan, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore |
| Biyer Phul | "Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy" | Shakil Khan, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore |
| Biyer Phul | "Oi Chad Mukhe Jeno Lagena" | Riaz, Shakil Khan, Shabnur | Andrew Kishore |
| Noyoner Alo | "Amar Sara Deho Kheyore" | Zafor Iqbal | Andrew Kishore |
| Chandan Diper Rajkonna | "Ami Tomari Premo Bhikhari" | Wasim, Anju Ghosh | Syed Abdul Hadi |
| Shohojatri | "Prithibir Joto Shukh Ami" | Ilias Kanchan, Champa | Sabina Yasmin, Andrew Kishore |
| Anondo Osru | "Tumi Mor Jiboner Vabona" | Salman Shah, Shabnur, Kanchi | Kanak Chapa, Andrew Kishore |
| Bhalobashi Tomake | "Onek Shadhonar Pore Ami" | Riaz, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Khalid Hassan |
| Bhalobasha Bhalobasha | "Premo Ronge Rangiyechi Mon" | Riaz, Shabnur | Kanak Chapa, Monir Khan |

## Bangladesh Liberation war

Bulbul joined the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971 when he was 15 years old. He served in a Mukti Bahini base in Zinzira. His older brother, Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed Tutul, served in the Crack Platoon of the Mukti Bahini. He trained in India and fought in Lalbagh Thana and New Market Thana of Dhaka.
In October, he was captured by the Pakistan military and Razakars while returning to India for more training. He was transferred to a jail in Mymensingh, where he was tortured and witnessed the mass execution of 39 Mukti Bahini prisoners by the Pakistan military. He was transferred to the residence of Dana Miah, which served as the local office of the East Pakistan Central Peace Committee. He was tortured there along with other members of the Mukti Bahini. He was able to escape from the camp.

### War crime witness

Bulbul testified against convicted former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam in the International Crimes Tribunal. Following the testimony as a witness, Bulbul's younger brother was killed, and his dead body was found near the Kuril overpass in Dhaka. Bulbul urged the government to ensure his security after the murder of his brother. He said that he had received death threats several times.

## Death

Bulbul was taken to Universal Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka around 6:15 am, where the doctors declared him dead. He had suffered cardiac arrest.

## Awards

* Ekushey Padak (2010)
* Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director (2001, 2005)
* President's Award
* Shikha Anirban Award (the highest honour conferred by the Bangladesh Armed Forces)
* Bachsas Awards (11 times)