While Shafin Ahmed’s fame as a member of the iconic band Miles is well-known, he also earned significant popularity as a solo artist. Far from being overshadowed, Shafin’s songs from mixed albums have left a lasting impression on listeners. One such track that has stood the test of time is the song “Aaj Jonmodin Tomar.”
This particular song has become an indispensable part of birthday celebrations among Bengali-speaking communities. It plays at almost every birthday party, and its lyrics, “Tumi ei dine prithibite eshecho, shubhechha tomay, tai anagoto khon hok aro sundor uchol din kamonay… Aaj Jonmodin Tomar…” have become iconic.
However, the song was not originally meant for Shafin Ahmed. Composer and music director Prince Mahmud shared the story behind the creation of this song, revealing that it was initially written for Hasan. At the time, Prince Mahmud was working on theme songs and had the idea of writing a birthday song. After writing and composing it, he initially thought of having Hasan perform it. But as Hasan already had too many songs in his repertoire, Prince Mahmud decided to find another artist.
From Hasan to Shafin
Initially, the song was to be recorded by Bipul, but due to his inability to sing in the high notes, Prince Mahmud then approached Shafin Ahmed. After a few practice sessions at his home, Shafin Ahmed recorded the song at Charu Studio in Siddheshwari. Prince Mahmud recalled, “Shafin sang the song brilliantly, and I was truly amazed. After that, the song became a hit.”
Since then, the song has been playing everywhere, becoming a crowd favorite at birthday parties. “It’s a song for everyone now,” said Prince Mahmud, commenting on the success of the song. The track’s music was done by Sound Garden, further adding to its charm.
A Song for Everyone
When asked about how it feels to have his creation become such a widespread hit, Prince Mahmud responded, “It feels wonderful. Shafin must enjoy it too. We create for everyone, and when it’s embraced by people, that’s when we truly find joy.” He further mentioned that his relationship with Shafin Ahmed was like that of an older brother and younger brother. When Shafin ran for mayor and faced online trolling, Prince Mahmud publicly supported him on Facebook, which Shafin later acknowledged with a message of appreciation.