“Still alive in the voices of the young”
Tokon Thakur
Writer, Lyricist, Filmmaker
When I was a university student, Sanjeeb Choudhury was my senior. He was a political activist, singer, poet, storyteller and journalist, and at the same time, an artist who navigated the city with the heart of a playful child.
Under Sanjeebda’s leadership, our singing group Dalchhut was formed, with Bappa Mazumder and several others joining the initiative. Before that, he may have had his first band, Mandira. I was studying fine arts at the time and he too was connected to the arts.
Dalchhut emerged in the 1990s with a new sound, fresh lyrics and melodies that marked a turning point.
His first solo album, ‘Shopnobaji’, was a special endeavour. Twelve lyricists contributed to the album, including myself.
Sanjeebda worked freely across multiple art forms: drama, cinema, music and poetry. He was a successful, versatile artist and his songs were dearly loved by many, including me. We also collaborated with him during his time as a journalist.
He was a loving man. This was one of his defining qualities. Another aspect of his life was his comfort with alcohol, which he perhaps saw as a means of easing the burdens he carried. But at times, its excess brought difficulties as well.
Tragically, we lost him in 2007 at the age of just 45. Returning from Bagerhat, near the Sundarbans, he suffered a brain stroke that night, reportedly due to excessive alcohol consumption. After two or three days of struggle, he passed away.
With his death, we lost an open-minded, outspoken and deeply affectionate artist of our time. Bangladesh lost a beloved voice; the industry lost a rare talent.
Bangladeshi music has many artists known for romantic and emotional expression, but Sanjeeb Choudhury was an exception. He was a protester, a defender of people’s rights and that spirit found expression in his songs and poems. Several of his poems have also been published in book form.
Even today, many of Sanjeeb’s songs are sung late at night on university campuses, carried by the voices of the young. When one of his most-loved songs, ‘Ami Tomakei Bole Debo’, rises in chorus under the open sky, it becomes clear that Sanjeeb is still alive, in their voices and in the hearts of all who listen.
“With Sanjeebda’s passing, it feels as though unity itself has gone, yet the power of his lyrics and all he created remains unforgettable.”
Syed Hasan Tipu
Musician
Sanjeeb Choudhury left behind a treasure trove of extraordinary songs and writings. When his lyrics were set to music, they became unique, timeless creations that will never be forgotten. Had he still been with us, we likely would have been blessed with many more such works.
Originally a journalist, Sanjeeb Choudhury would have undoubtedly used his pen to comment on the current state of the country. If he were alive today, his writings would have no doubt critiqued the prevailing instability and imbalance, while also championing the positive changes that are taking place.
One of Sanjeebda’s defining qualities was his unwavering stand against injustice. As an active political activist, he played a key role in the anti-dictatorship movement of the 1990s. These political issues were regularly reflected in his writings, and his activism resonated deeply in the words he crafted.
His protest and political writings continue to serve as an important example for today’s artists, many of whom are less politically engaged. The political awareness embedded in his songs and writings is a testament to the depth of his love for the country. One of the great ironies of our society is that we often only recognise the value of people after their death, when it should be while they are still alive.
I don’t have many personal memories with Sanjeebda, but I remember him fondly from my time spent at Bappa Majumdar’s studio, which was right across from my house. He would often return late at night and that’s when we’d meet him outside the studio, and our conversations would begin.
The special thing about our relationship was the mutual respect we shared. That respect was always equal and unwavering.
Even now, it’s hard to come to terms with Sanjeeb Choudhury’s passing. He is missed, not just for his work, but as a person. His absence leaves a void that still feels deeply felt.
“At this time, the presence of a person like Sanjeebda was very much needed”
Bappa Majumdar
Musician, Lyricist, Composer
What can I say about Sanjeebda on his death anniversary? I can’t find the words. Outside of my family, he was one of the mentors who shaped my musical career, the other being Jewel Bhai.
Sanjeebda was remarkable in every way: an extraordinary human being, a true friend, an elder brother and a guide. Our conversations often helped me find my direction. Whatever dilemmas or questions I had, his guidance was always profound and effective. From a place of pure humanity and deep understanding, he was endlessly supportive. It’s truly difficult to describe him in just a few lines. He was an exceptional writer, poet, singer and journalist.
His knowledge was vast. Whether it was mathematics or astrophysics, he had a clear and confident understanding of everything and he could explain even the most complex ideas with ease and flow.
To this day, I feel his presence beside me when I sing on stage. And during Dalchhut’s journey, his extraordinary writing and creative contribution played a crucial role in taking the band to great heights.
We miss him deeply. I don’t know why, but I often feel that someone like Sanjeebda is needed now more than ever, not just for me, but for all of us.
“Sanjeebda”
Dhruba Esh
Artist, Writer
Tupur uncle comes to Dhaka.
He sits in Peacock and drinks.
With Sanjeebda.
As he leaves, he warns, “Oh don’t say that, uncle.”Nupur uncle comes to Dhaka.
He sits in Peacock and drinks.
With Sanjeebda.
As he leaves, he warns, “Oh don’t say that, uncle.”I live in Dhaka.
We go to Peacock to drink.
Sometimes with Sanjeebda.
Sanjeevda laughs. – Listen, Tupur came yesterday. Or, listen, Nupur came yesterday.
They asked me not to tell you anything? Hey! Your peg hasn’t finished yet. Finish it! Have another one!”Sanjeebda is my Tupur’s and Nupur’s uncle. What’s he to me, then? he ‘s my Dadamoshai. Dadu.Sanjeebda anchored the Mela page of the daily Bhorer Kagoj. I worked with him officially for a while. Head to toe he’s a man of ‘water’. ‘Water’ calls him all day long. ‘In the middle of a busy day, in the middle of tired leisure’, that was the tagline of an ad, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”Where should we go?
Why? Has ‘Chalet’ closed down?I had my first tequila with Sanjebda in a Chalet.
Grandpa taught his grandson how to drink it. I didn’t understand the greatness of tequila at first. I had eight shots. It was chaos. Sanjeebda? 13 shots plus whiskey, running. Nothing serious. Sanjeebda is my dadu, in relation Shilpi is my Nani. They lived in Katasur, Mohammadpur. One day, Sanjeebda took me there. Nani was upset. I tried to mediate and of course I failed. Nani stayed in her room, still upset. In the next room, Sanjeebda and I were sleepless and sad. I listened to his sorrow all night. I didn’t feel sad. By dawn, I hadn’t slept a bit. I said, “It’s okay, go to sleep now.”Sanjeebda, even more sad, said, ‘If I go to sleep she’ll kick me off the bed, do you know?’Not at all. My nani is a very good person.
My grandfather was also a good person. Sanjeebda. Sanjeeb Chowdhury. I saw him for a few days during his most creative period. Dalchhut was the thing of that time. What songs he left behind!
Ami Tomakei Bole Debo
Tumi Amar Bayanno Tash
Kalpana Chakmar Gaan
Tomar Barir Ronger Melay…
These are songs of eternity. His songs have become the music of eternity. Sanjeebda is forever and will forever be my dadu. Everyone’s Sanjeebda.
People live in countless pockets. Little by little, in each pocket. As a single particle in some pocket, as a half-particle in another. I was perhaps a half-particle in a momentary pocket of Sanjeeb Chowdhury. This is enough!
“Sanjeeb Choudhury is the name of a philosophy”
Joy Shahriar
Musician, Lyricist, Composer
For me, Sanjeebda is the name of a philosophy. Singer, lyricist, composer, journalist: he carried many identities, yet what set him apart from countless others was his worldview. His songs, poems and writings touched an entire generation and that influence continues to pass from one generation to the next. This, I believe, is his greatest contribution to our music, culture and collective life.
I consider myself fortunate to have known him closely and to have received his affection. I love both his music and his way of life and I carry forward much of what I learned from him. For those of us who cherish his work and remember him with love, Sanjeeb Choudhury lives on, in our thoughts, our lives and our philosophies.
