Singer, composer, lyricist and music teacher Shawon Gaanwala has received international recognition after more than two decades in music.
Global Human Peace University (GHPU) has awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Music (Honoris Causa).
He received the honour in recognition of his contribution to preserving Nazrul music and the musical heritage of the subcontinent, presenting the tradition to modern audiences in a new way, and his work as an artist and teacher.
Shawon Ganwala’s real name is Sazzad Hossain Shawon. He was born in Chandpur on 20 November 1990.
He moved to Mirpur in Dhaka with his family in 1992.
In 1999, he began his musical training at Mirpur’s Shikha Sangeet Academy under national radio artist Md Salamat Hossain.
In 2006, he enrolled at Bulbul Lalitakala Academy (BAFA) and completed a four-year certificate course in Nazrul music.
He later earned a B.Mus (Honours) degree in Nazrul music from Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology.
Alongside his studies, Shawon also became involved in band music. In 2006, he formed his first band, Diyaneshy. He later worked as the lead vocalist of the bands Fly, 12 AM and Eclipse.
He gained national recognition after finishing fifth in the vocalist category of the Nescafé Get Set Rock competition.
His first solo album, Sparsha Kori Tomay, was released in 2013.
Several songs from the album, including Tomar Jonno, Sparsha Kori Tomay and Ashona, received a positive response from listeners.
He made his playback debut in 2015 with the songs Chini Na from the film Chuye Dile Mon and Chole Jao with Shakila Saki.
He later released several other songs, including Icchey Manush, Ebhabe Chai, Tomake Debo Na Harate, Projapoti Meye, Eka and Megh Ghuri.
Shawon has also worked to present Nazrul music through modern musical arrangements. In late 2014, he formed a musical group named Jofola.
The group was later renamed Shawon Ganwala Band. Alongside original songs, the band performs popular Bangladeshi and international songs.
Apart from music, Shawon has worked in radio, television and teaching. From 2012 to 2014, he worked as a news producer at Radio Today.
He also hosted several seasons of Channel 9’s programme Youth Age.
He has also worked as a music instructor at various educational institutions and music venues in Dhaka.
