Today, 3 February, marks the birthday of Arman Khan, the celebrated lyricist, composer, and music director whose creations once defined the soundscape of Bangladeshi popular music. Yet, for many years, he has remained largely absent from the glittering stages of Dhaka, rarely appearing at public events or announcing new songs. Still, the mere mention of ‘Nantu Ghotok’ evokes the familiar refrain: “Pola to noi jeno aguner gola!”—a line etched in the memories of generations.
Arman Khan was the creative force behind iconic tracks such as ‘Chander Batti’r Kosom Diya’ performed by Prometheus Band’s Biplob, ‘Sheet Noy Grishmo Noy Eseche Boshonto’ sung by Hasan of Ark Band, and the timeless ‘Lal Bondhu Nil Bondhu’. In an era before the term “viral” existed, these songs dominated buses, tea stalls, markets, and homes, becoming the very language of their time.
Speaking briefly via WhatsApp on his birthday, Arman shared that he is in Dhaka for just a three-day break from his busy professional life. “It feels like a pause,” he says, before returning to his workplace tomorrow. Despite his distance from the music industry, he remains deeply connected to the city, its people, and the memories of his creative years.
Golden Years in Music
The late 1990s and early 2000s were a golden era for Bangladesh’s audio albums, with cassettes and CDs defining the market. During this period, Arman Khan emerged as one of the country’s busiest music directors, spending long hours in his studio on album recordings, rehearsals, and compositions for theatre and television.
| Year | Audio Albums Completed | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 | Dokan, Tin Sotti |
| 2003 | 8 | Lal Bondhu Nil Bondhu, Ghotok |
| 2004 | 5 | Dost Dushman, Various TV Drama Scores |
| 2005 | 3 | Solo projects & Studio collaborations |
Between 2002 and 2005 alone, he completed nearly 23 albums, working with almost every prominent Bangladeshi singer of the era. Simultaneously, the demand for TV dramas surged, and Arman became a go-to composer for productions, beginning with the country’s first daily serial ‘Jowar Bhata’ by Abdullah Al Mamun. Over his career, he has composed for over 1,200 television dramas, mastering the subtle art of placing silence and melody precisely where needed.
A Shift Away from Music
Despite his professional acclaim, Arman grew increasingly aware of inequities in the music industry: performers earned substantially more than composers and instrumentalists, who often received only a few thousand taka per song. Combined with piracy and changes in the industry, this led him to step away.
In 2013, he began a second career in hospitality, joining Grand Sultan Hotel in Sylhet’s Srimangal as Head of Sales & Marketing. Today, he serves as the hotel’s General Manager, having earned the title of Best General Manager in 2019. Yet music remains close to his heart: he has released tracks such as ‘Bondhu’ and tribute songs like ‘Asa-Jawa’ and ‘Guru Re’, honouring icons like Ayub Bachchu and his uncle, pop legend Azam Khan.
Life Today
Now living a quieter life with his wife Amy Khan, son Arham Khan, and daughter Antara Raisa Khan, Arman finds solace at the piano and in moments of reflection at his parents’ graves atop a hill near his workplace. Though the spotlight has moved on, his compositions continue to resound at weddings, festive gatherings, and rural celebrations—proof that the music of Arman Khan still ignites joy, even if its creator dwells in serene seclusion.