Maqsoodul Haque

Maqsoodul Haque মাকসুদুল হক
Born	(1957-09-16) 16 September 1957 Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Occupation(s)	Singer, Poet, Activist
Years active	1978–present

Maqsoodul Haque (born 16 September 1957), also known as Mac Haque, is a Bangladeshi singer, poet and activist from the Assamese community in Bangladesh. He is the lead singer of his own band Maqsood O'Dhaka, which he formed in 1996. He was previously the lead vocalist of the band Feedback from 1975 to 1996.

Early life

Haque is one of the pioneers of band music movement in Bangladesh. Rock, reggae, jazz, metal or folk – Bangladeshi band music has many variations, this talented artist is singing in these different genres. Haque was born in Dhaka although his ancestors were natives of Assam. Due to his father being a businessman, he has traveled to different parts of the country. However, his family settled in Pallavi, Mirpur, Dhaka. Listening to various songs on the radio, Maqsood developed a love for music, but he never learned music from anyone.

Career

He first joined a band called 'Early Bird' in Malibu in 1974. In 1976 came Feedback, everyone called Maqsood as Mac, then he used to sing in English. He was singing Bengali songs in the feedback. Zakir Rahman. Azam Khan encouraged Maqsood to sing Bengali songs but to Mac then Bengali songs meant unsmart songs. However, Azam Khan's strict rule forced Maksud to change his mind. Haque also sang in the band 'Waves' in 1987.

In 1987, Haque finally made his official entry into Bengali music. Feedback's second album 'Ullas' was released under the banner of Sargam. As Romel went abroad for higher education, Haque had to give vocals in Bengali songs. The feedback was extremely popular It started with Maksud Storm.

The next album 'Mela' came in 1990. The famous song 'Melay Jaire' came in this album. Haque wrote the song himself. It took three months to write. The song became a blockbuster hit. Rock music takes place in Baisakh songs beyond Rabindra Sangeet. In 1991, Feedback's song collection 'Joar' was released in Kolkata under the banner of HMV. Haque's expressive song came for the first time in this album. During the disastrous cyclone of 1991, he wrote "Majhi tor radio nai boila tehin parlina." The song was widely appreciated all over Bangladesh including Kolkata.

Haque also did the play-back. The first late director Darashiko got an offer to sing in the film 'Anjali'. Haque also took the opportunity. His songs 'Tomake Vada Ekaran' and 'Loke Bale Pagalami' were popular in the film. Apart from this, the title song of Momtazur Rahman Akbar's 'Disco Dancer' was also sung by Haque.

In 1994, 'Bangabd 1400' was published. Maqsood's lyric poetry begins from this album. Geetikobita-1 (Tomake Mone Pore), Geetikobita-2 (Dhonnobad Bhalobasha) were published in this album and became very popular. Besides, Maksud brought a new dimension to the expressive songs. Songs like 'Shamajik Koshtokatinno' and 'High-ranking Investigation Committee' were published.

He wrote in the song 'Shamajik Koshtokatinno' - 'Build a mountain of black money by importing radioactive milk / And in the evening you patronize some pure music / And drink whiskey, drink whiskey.' He also said, 'Stop these vulgar bands.' Mac's attempts to move beyond the traditional I-Thou type of song became more visible later. Decided to do mainly expressive songs. Some of his protest songs could not be taken out due to feedback. Decided to form a new band.

Haque left Feedback in October 1996. Formed his new band Maqsood O'Dhaka. Sekandar Ahmed Khoka is among the feedback companions. Salim Haider, Rubaiyat, Fazlul Haque Mantu and others have also joined. In 1997, Dhaka's first album 'Prapto Boyosher Nishiddho' was released.

However, the album could not be released by any major production company due to the political statement. It was finally published by 'Gitanjali', a CD shop on Elephant Road. The success of this one album turned Gitanjali into a production house now known as 'G Series'. The album sold 70,000 copies on its first day. Become a mega hit The most talked about song from the album was – rhythm Maqsood wrote, "Gonotontro Mane Michil Mukhe Michil Sloganer Bhasha/ Bangladesh Zindabad, Joy Banglar Dhorshon Dekhe Majha Duliye Nacha" He also wrote, "Gonotontro Mane Shontrashi Prokashe Guli Chalay / Pashe Darano Police Anonde Dekhi Nak Angul Chalay / So democracy means a constitutional monarchy / The mantra of livelihood with the strength of the body and muscles." In addition, the album's "Abar Wardho Naha", "Parwardegar", "Bangladesh" -95', 'Gitibashan- Death Penalty Demand' songs were also rhetorical protest songs. The fundamentalist group sends shrouds to his house for the song 'Kon Patha we are going, Hay Parwardegar/ In whose hand is the Koran Sharif, why is the sword in that hand'. Apart from this, Maksud faced threats from many other aspects. Maqsood was uninvited in Chittagong for Parwardega's song, but he was not deterred by it. In 2012, Maqsood came back to Chittagong through a three-and-a-half-hour concert at Chittagong Medical College organized by Ishtiaq Islam Khan.

At that time a weekly newspaper called 'Chalitatra' was published. Edited by Bivhuranjan Sarkar. He started writing columns there titled 'Forbidden at this time'. He announced the next album. Named 'State Power-2010'. However, before that, his band's second album 'Ogo Bolshasha' came in January 1999. It was the first rock-jazz fusion album in Bengali language In this album, the introspective work titled 'Rabindranath-2010' was admired by Rabindra devotees, especially Chayanot. Later, there were many ups and downs in Mac's life. Arrested in women abuse case, though later proved to be false, banned in media and more. After getting over the disappointment, he returned to the world of music. However, 'State Power-2010' has not been done.

Recently, "Maqsud O Dhaka" has been busy with various events including concerts. As a fan, it is expected that Maksud, along with his band Dhaka, will return with religious songs. Once again the listeners will get some wonderful songs and quality lyrics.

Discography

Maqsood O'Dhaka

• Prapto Boyoshker Nishiddho (1997)
• Ogo Bhalobasha (1999)
• Boishakhi Jarer Ratrite (2000)
• Ma’arefoter Potaka (2004)
• Shobdochitro (2014)
• Global Bauliana