From Ghuri to Ishwar: The Quiet Journey of Lyricist Someshwar Oli

In the rush of the morning metro, during weary bus rides home with headphones firmly in place, or in the stillness of late-night YouTube scrolling, certain lines return again and again:
“Could God not have written our union?” or “Ghuri, in whose sky do you fly?”

These songs carry the sighs of love, longing, and quiet heartbreak. Their gentle melodies, tinged with melancholy, weave an atmosphere that lingers long after the music fades. Many listeners hum along unconsciously, rarely pausing to consider the man behind the words. That man is Someshwar Oli—a lyricist who has shaped contemporary Bengali music while steadfastly choosing to remain away from the spotlight.

Though intensely private, Oli is no recluse. He lives in the city, occasionally appearing at informal gatherings with fellow writers, musicians, and artists. Music, rather than public attention, remains his natural habitat. This year, however, he finds himself in focus once more—not for a new release, but because it is his birthday. Social media has filled with tributes, photographs, and heartfelt praise. When reached for comment, Oli was not celebrating extravagantly; instead, he was occupied with moving house, packing boxes, and quietly beginning another chapter—an apt metaphor for his life.

Roots by the Someshwari River :

Someshwar Oli was born and raised in Durgapur, Netrokona, along the banks of the Someshwari River, in a farming household marked by cattle, crops, and discipline. His childhood memories are steeped in sound: his father’s Qur’anic recitation at dawn, his mother and siblings reading aloud, and, from neighbouring Hindu homes, the rhythmic echoes of conch shells, drums, and ululation. Television was forbidden; radios were discouraged. Yet rebellion arrived softly—Friday afternoon films watched in secret, stolen moments with a radio—nurturing the listener before the writer was born.

Education, Poetry, and the Call of the City :

It was only after moving to Netrokona town for college that poetry entered his life fully. Long hours in public libraries, conversations with local writers, and exposure to literature reshaped his worldview. Poetry became a form of resistance—a way to refuse compromise, to turn anger and idealism into art.

Drawn by this passion, Oli moved to Dhaka with little more than courage and a belief in words. The early years were precarious—sleeping in friends’ rooms, political offices, libraries—but persistence prevailed. After freelancing, he joined Jaijaidin in 2007 as a sub-editor, later working for Samakal and online outlets. Nearly a decade in journalism, largely in entertainment reporting, taught him to observe artists from within. Yet by 2017, routine headlines no longer satisfied him. He resigned, committing fully to songwriting.

The Birth of a Lyricist :

Songwriting emerged almost accidentally, as poetry that did not quite fit the page found new life in music. A circle of friends—including singer and lyricist Lutfor Hasan—shared what Oli jokingly calls the “banana-and-bread generation”: broke, hungry, yet brimming with artistic dreams. From this period came “Rongin Dalan”, sung by S I Tutul, which first brought Oli recognition.

The true turning point arrived in 2011 with Lutfor Hasan’s album Ghuri Tumi Kar Akashe Oro. Oli penned most of the songs, including the iconic title track “Ghuri”, whose nostalgia and poetic sadness resonated deeply. With millions of listens online, it remains one of his defining works.

Expanding Across Screens :

Oli’s work has since travelled across television, web films, OTT platforms, and cinema. One of his most beloved television songs, “Tai Tomar Khayal” from the drama Boro Chele, became popular even among those who never watched the series. His collaboration with composer Sajid Sarkar flourished further in the web film Networker Baire, particularly with the song “Rupkothar Jogote”, which continues to circulate widely on social media.

Ishwar and National Recognition :

His most prominent cinematic breakthrough came with “Ishwar” from the Shakib Khan–starring film Priyotoma. Composed by Prince Mahmud and sung by Riyad, the song drew acclaim for both its musicality and lyrical depth. It earned Oli the BFDC Award for Best Lyricist (2023) and opened doors to projects in Kolkata and beyond. Another milestone followed with “Dui Noyoner Moni” from Omar, marking Arfin Rumi’s return to film playback singing after nearly five years.

Selected Milestones in Someshwar Oli’s Career :

Despite a long list of popular songs—Ghuri, Buke’r Bam Pashe, Chol Bondhu Chol, Maya, Dojokh, and many more—Oli resists measuring success by fame. He values linguistic integrity, emotional weight, and responsibility to the listener over trends or easy appeal.

In 2023, he published his first poetry collection, Kichuta Upor Theke Manush Dekhte Bhalo Lage. Poetry remains his refuge, free from market pressures. With countless unpublished lyrics, ideas for folk, ghazal-inspired works, and even musical films, his creative journey is far from complete.

There may be no grand birthday celebration today, but somewhere, someone is listening once more to “Ghuri” or “Ishwar”. And quietly, without spectacle, Someshwar Oli continues to live on in the hearts of his listeners—exactly where he prefers to be.