Zulfiqer Russell (; born 13 November 1977) is a Bangladeshi lyricist and journalist. He served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the film Putro (2018). He was the winner of the Channel i Music Awards in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2022 and also received the Mirchi Music Awards (Bangla) award for the Song of the Year in the Modern Song category for, "Shabuj Chilo". On 2020 he was awarded CJFB Performance Award 2019 as best lyricist. He had also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A. R. Rahman. He wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh.
Early life and education
Zulfiqer Russell was born on 13 November 1977, in the Dhaka District of Bangladesh. He is the son of Abdus Salam (father) and Saleha Begum (mother). He studied at the Muslim Modern Academy, and graduated from Dhaka City College.
Career At the beginning of 1993, Russell's poems were featured in a number of publications including Ajker Kagoj. His first poem was "Kofine Ojoggo Purush". He is the only lyricist in Bangladesh who received an appreciation letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wrote the official welcome song "O Prithibi Ebar Ese Bangladesh Nao Chine" for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. He penned around thousand songs since 1994, many of which were sung by prominent artists. He was one of the top lyricists of the year 2011. Russell served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026, and has previously written for publications such as The Daily Ittefaq and The Daily Janakantha. He has also worked for Maasranga Television and Bangla newspapers, Daily Amader Shomoy, Ajker Kagoj and Banglabazar Patrika.
In addition to working with fellow Bangladeshi artists, He has also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A R Rahman, he is the first Bangladeshi lyricist who collaborated with A R Rahman. He also work with Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Javed Ali, Palak Muchhal, Benny Dayal, Zubin Garg, Nachiketa, Anjan Dutt, Indranil Sen, Rupankar Bagchi, Raghab Chatterjee, Anwesha, Chinmoyee, Iman Chakrabarty. Zulfiqer Russell wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh. He wrote a theme song 'Joy Bangabandhu' in the Hindi language for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This song is composed and sung by Academy award winner A. R. Rahman. Zulfiqer Russell wrote another theme song 'Hoyeche ki Sonar Bangla' for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He places himself as Publicity and Publication Secretary of Music Alliance Bangladesh (Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh).
He is also active in a various organisation like the Lyricists Association of Bangladesh (Geetikobi Shongho) where he places himself as Organizing Secretary. By this platform they want amendments on copyright law to stop the unauthorized use of lyrics.
Film appearance Akash Koto Durey, 2013. Director: Samia Zaman
Discography ReleasedAlbumArtistTune/CompositionMusic ArrangementsProduction CompanyJanuary 1997Onnorokom ValoAhmed FaisalMoni ZamanMoni ZamanSangeetaDecember 1999Akash ChhoaShampa RezaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekDecember 2001Ekoi ShohoreBappa Mazumder & JewelBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekFebruary 2002Apekhkhay ThekoKumar Bishwajit, Baby Naznin, Samina Chowdhury, Kanakchapa, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Bappa Mazumder, Asif & Kaniz SubornaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekMay 2002Aaj Brishti NamukBaby Naznin, Fahmida Nabi, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Biplob, Bappa, Asif, Pancham, Amitav KaisarBappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, ApuBappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, ApuSoundtekNovember 2003Firti PotheyJewelBappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa MazumderFebruary 2004ChhelemanushiAsif, Agoon & BappaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekMay 2004Du' Poshla BrishtiIndranil Sen (India) & Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekFebruary 2005SwapnoraniAsif & Kaniz SubornaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekApril 2005Ichchhe Korei EkshatheyAnjan Dutt (India) & Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekJanuary 2006AanchorFahmida Nabi, Shakila Zafar, Jewel, Tipu, Bappa Mazumder & S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulAarshi, Agnivenna & G SeriesSeptember 2007Abar Pothe DekhaAnjan Dutt (India), Bappa Mazumder & S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulSoundtekApril 2008Bhango Moner DanaBappa Mazumder, Jewel & Indranil Sen (India)Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtekSeptember 2008KheyalBappa Mazumder, S I Tutul & ArnobBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulATN MusicSeptember 2009PhoringFahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder, Mahadi & BishwajitBappa MazumderBappa MazumderATN MusicFebruary 2010Ek Mutho GaanBappa Mazumder & Fahmida NabiBappa MazumderBappa MazumderG SeriesAugust 2010PoroshporSamina Chowdhury, Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder & RupankarBappa MazumderBappa MazumderG SeriesJuly 2012Akash Debo KaakeyTareen, Tapan Chowdhury, Raghab, Rupankar & Ibrar TipuJoy Sarker, Bappa Mazumder, Rupankar, Ibrar Tipu & Belal KhanJoy Sarker, Indrajit Dey, Bappa Mazumder, Ibrar Tipu & Mushfiq LituG SeriesAugust 2012Poroshpor-2Samina Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Sonu Nigam (India) & Javed Ali (India)Joy Sarker, Pilu Khan & RupankarJoy Sarker & Indrajit Dey Agniveena & G SeriesJuly 2013Ichchhe HoyFahmida NabiNaquib Khan & Pilu KhanTamal ChakrabartyOctober 2013Cholo Baanchi, Benche Thakar Moto, Type: Soft MelodySamina ChowdhuryNaquib Khan, Pilu Khan, Rupankar & RaghabIndrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty July 2014Aaj Ki Brishti HobeTinaRaghab Chatterjee, Ibrar Tipu & Belal KhanIndrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty Laser VisionBari Ferar TaraRaghab ChatterjeeRaghab ChatterjeeIndrajit Dey & Tamal ChakrabartyAaraleyKanakchapaNaquib Khan, Moinul Islam Khan & Pilu KhanTamal ChakrabartyAugust 2014Benche Thakar JonneRupankar BagchiRupankar BagchiIndrajit DeyFebruary 2015Neel Jhinuker KhamFahmida Nabi & Rupankar BagchiRupankar BagchiIndrajit DeyJuly 2015Ekta Bondhu ChaiSamina Chowdhury & RaghabRaghab ChatterjeeIndrajit Dey & Tamal ChakrabartyLaser VisionSeptember 2016Amar Ichchhe KothayImran & Palak MuchhalImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtekJune 2017Benche Thakar MaaneNachiketaNachiketaTunai Debasish GangulyAasha AudioNovember 2017Lage Buke LageImran Mahmudul & AnwesshaaImran MahmudulImran MahmudulDhruba MusicJanuary 2018Bhalo ThekoJayati ChakrabortyNachiketaTunai Debasish GangulyAasha AudioFebruary 2019Shesh DinTahsan & Tina RussellTahsan KhanSajid SarkerCD ChoiceDecember 2019Keno Eto BhabchoImran & Palak MuchhalImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtekDecember 2020Chokher BhetorTina RussellRidwan Nabi PanchamRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi MusicFebruary 2021Parbo NaTina RussellTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicMarch 2021Ektai Ache DeshFifty renowned singers of BangladeshSajid SarkarSajid SarkarThe People's Republic of BangladeshMarch 2021Amar Shonar BanglaA R RahmanA R RahmanA R RahmanThe People's Republic of BangladeshMay 2021Akash Amar Jochona AmarPilu KhanPilu KhanRENAISSANCEDhruba Music StationDecember 2021Hoyechhe Ki Sonar BanglaAditi Mohsin, Sharmin Sultana Sumi, Lincon D Costa & Jahid NirobPavel AreenPavel AreenThe People's Republic of BangladeshDecember 2021Agami 50 (Next50)Lincon D Costa, Nirob, Masha Islam, Tashfi, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Oyshee, Salman, Innima, Yar Hossain, Shanto, Sagar, NibirPavel AreenPavel AreenShah CementFebruary 2022Ki Sundor Kore BolleTina RussellNachiketa ChakrabortyImran MahmudulSoundtekFebruary 2022Jani To Shohoj NoyFahmida NabiNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi MusicFebruary 2022Chetonar Ekushe Bangla-ke BhalobesheKona, Nirab, Masha Islam, Dipen Mahajan, Tonu, Yar Hossain, SagarPavel AreenPavel AreenShah CementMarch 2022Joy BangladeshA R RahmanA R RahmanA R RahmanBangladesh Cricket BoardMarch 2022EktuKhani Kostho DiteoSamina ChowdhuryNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi MusicMarch 2022Ichchhe Holei Dio Imran Mahmudul and Tina RussellImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtekDecember 2022Bangladesh Awami League (Theme Song) Pantha Kanai, Chandana Mojumdar, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Masha IslamPavel AreenOffice Cell, Bangladesh Awami LeagueFebruary 2023Kichhu Nei JaarTina RussellBappa MazumderBappa MazumderBee Emmz WorkstationMarch 2023FBCCI Theme Song (50 years) Pantha Kanai, Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum, Tashfee, Abanti Shithi, Nasrin NashaMeer Shahriar Hossain MasumTanveer KhanPop UpJune 2023Shey Ekta GaachhNachiketa ChakrabortyNachiketa ChakrabortyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicJune 2023Shudhu Bhalobashai Shob NoIman ChakrabortyTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicSeptember 2023 Ami Bhalo NeiSamina ChowdhuryNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi MusicApril 2024 SanjeebDalchhutBappa MazumderDalchhutSwadhin MusicApril 2024 Ekibhabe Din AsheAnweshaTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicSeptember 2025 Eki Bhul Hobe Na AarShovan GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicNovember 2025 Obujh Pakhi Zubeen GargTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi MusicFebruary 2026 Tumi BolleiBappa Mazumder & Tina RussellBappa Mazumder Bappa Mazumder ZuTi Music
Awards
Year Award Category Outcome2008 Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association Best Lyricist Citycell-Channel i Music Awards 2009 Dhaka Cultural Reporters Unity 2010 Citycell-Channel i Music Awards 2013 2017 Mirchi Music Awards Bangla Song of the year (Modern song) 2018 Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics Best Lyricist 2019 CJFB Performance Award Best Lyricist 2022 Channel i Music Awards Best Lyricis (Thematic song)
References
External links