“Are you still busy?” I asked.
“No, I was in a meeting at the office. Just got back,” replied Nahid Hasan when he called later that afternoon, after I had been unable to reach him at midday. When I asked if he also had to work, he smiled and said that he had come to Dhaka primarily to pursue music. Yet reality is rarely so simple: he must balance both work and passion. Over the course of our conversation, Nahid’s journey from Thakurgaon to Dhaka unfolded—a story of dreams, setbacks, struggle, and occasional despair, reflected in the very music he creates.
A Musical Beginning
Within his family, Nahid is the first to pursue music formally. Nevertheless, his elder uncle, siblings, and cousins all sang regularly and were involved in traditional folk theatre performances, sowing the seeds of music in his life. His time at college in Bogura further nurtured his talent. By his second year, he was writing songs and performing regularly among friends. After graduating, like many aspiring musicians, he realised that success required moving to the capital. What he could not foresee, however, was the hardship that awaited him there.
The Setback: ‘Why Did It Happen?’
In 2014, Nahid arrived in Dhaka and enrolled at a private university, while also working at a mobile phone shop to make ends meet. He invested around 20,000 takas—his own savings and some borrowed money—into a mixed album that was due to release during Eid. His song was included, but tragedy struck: the producer passed away before the album could be released. “That incident shook me completely,” he recalls. “I had so many dreams, worked so hard to save money, but nothing is more important than human life.” The unreleased song, aptly titled ‘Why Did It Happen?’, became a painful yet defining milestone in his life.
A New Beginning
Determined not to risk money on uncertain ventures, Nahid decided to take more time and retain creative control. Over the next three years, he wrote and composed 16–17 songs and honed his guitar skills. In 2017, he met musician Autumnal Moon at Banani Supermarket. A year later, Moon gave him a song, which took another year and a half to release. The track, “Tomar Pichu Chharbo Na”, became widely popular and marked the start of a new phase in his career.
Life on a Budget
During this period, Nahid’s life was a testament to resilience:
| Expense/Activity | Cost (BDT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus fare | 25 | From Mirpur to Gulistan |
| Meal | 30 | Roti and dal at Patial Market |
| Leguna ride | 5 | Babubazar Bridge to Nayabazar |
| Return bus fare | 10 | From Farmgate to Mirpur |
| Daily total | ~100 | Basic subsistence during four months |
Universal Themes in Music
Nahid has more unreleased than released songs. His public hits include “Tomar Pichu Chharbo Na”, “Ghritna Thakuk”, “Babar Cycle”, and “Dukkho Deyar Manush”. His compositions often reflect childhood memories, heartbreak, and personal struggles. Many also carry a strong family presence, notably his mother and father. Plans are underway for an EP dedicated to parental themes, showcasing songs written and composed entirely by him.
Future Vision
Nahid has also ventured into playback singing, including “Hawai Mithai” for an upcoming film by Fakrul Islam. He notes that the digital age has enabled artists to release music independently, though marketing pressures can conflict with creative autonomy. His ultimate ambition remains simple: to dedicate himself fully to music and share his art globally.
Nahid Hasan’s journey, from Thakurgaon to Dhaka, and from hardship to acclaim, embodies why his music resonates with young audiences: its blend of personal honesty, struggle, and universal emotion.