Two Eid tunes that have lasted generations

One of the more pacifying and uniting facets of a divisive nation like Bangladesh is the unison with which its people observe the month of Ramadan. A month sewn from the threads of prayer, devotion, and sacrifice—sacrifices that often come in many forms. 

Among them is music. In Bangladesh, it's hard to recall the last time a major public music event was held during Ramadan. Despite their deep love for music, Bangladeshis willingly set it aside during this holy month as an act of worship and devotion to their deity.

However, as the holy month comes to a close and the joyous celebration of Eid ul Fitr begins, it's safe to say that no festivity is truly complete without a touch of groovy tunes. 

Although there aren't many songs that have cemented themselves as anthems for post-Ramadan festivities, two have undoubtedly made their way to millions of hearts.

One has been cherished and passed down through generations, while the other—barely a decade old—is already making a significant mark on today's generation, if not greater.

Shopno Jabe Bari

The best way to describe this "jingle" on steroids is that it hit right in the "feels". Roughly translating to "A homecoming of my dreams," the song, first released in 2016, resonated strongly by tapping into the heartfelt sentiment of Bangladeshis leaving behind the hustle of city life—where they had gone in search of livelihood—to return to their cherished hometowns. 

With hopes and excitement, they journey back to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid with their families and loved ones, reconnecting with their roots and bringing smiles along the way.

The song was originally released as part of a television commercial by Grameenphone. The lyrics were penned by Russell Mahmud, with music composed by Habib Wahid.

The initial campaign struck such a powerful chord with the nation that several versions of the same song have been produced over the past decade. While each version features minor cosmetic changes, the core emotion and the soul of the melody remain unchanged. 

The song, beginning with a few melody lines from Habib Wahid's on the keys, quickly transitions into lyrics filled with hope and longing—eventually building up to a moving and uplifting final chorus.

Romjan er oi Rojar Sheshe Elo Khushir Eid

Well, we all know this one, don't we? This song, by now has turned into a heritage, a tradition of Eid celebration. However, the song which was originally written in 1931 by our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam has quite an interesting background story behind it. Initially, the song had a different title to the one that's known by all and sundry in the present day.

Commissioned by Nazrul's disciple, the legendary singer Abbas Uddin Ahmed, this song was Nazrul's first Islamic composition. Remarkably, he composed it in just half an hour—a testament to his poetic genius. 

Four days later, Abbas Uddin recorded it under the Gramophone Company (now Saregama India Limited), marking the beginning of a cultural milestone. The record, released in February 1932, became an instant sensation, quickly gaining traction as the "Eid song" across the Bengali Muslim community.

At the time, Islamic songs in Bangla were a rarity. Urdu qawwalis dominated, and the idea of Bangali Islamic music was met with scepticism. When Abbas Uddin pitched the concept to Nazrul, the poet embraced it wholeheartedly. 

The song's success was unprecedented. Nazrul followed up quickly with another Islamic song, and soon, the Gramophone Company's catalogue was brimming with similar tracks. 

Decades have passed, but the spirit of "Oi Sauda Loye El Khushir Eid" still echoes during Eid celebrations. Its melodies evoke nostalgia, pride, and unity—a musical thread that ties generations together.