Mehreen Mahmud is the name responsible for reviving Bangla Pop. She is the leading Bangladeshi Popstar and a multi-genre artist, covering from folk to classical n jazz fusion. To her name, she has numerous awards, 7 albums, an astonishing career of 20 years, beloved hits, judging seats in Bangladeshi Idol and The Band Wagon, a band hunt reality show in Kolkata, with Grammy winner A R Rahman. Mehreen is a cross over artist who worked with internationally acclaimed composers like Djamel of France, pdt Tonmoy Bose and pdt. Bickrom Ghosh of Kolkata to name a few. There is nothing this powerhouse persona hasn't done - anchoring, modeling, stage hosting, news casting etc, before she settled to be the most glamorous figure of Pop radiantly shining herself and our country across borders. Today, she sits with Tanvir Shams to talk about bits of her career and lifestyle.
What are you currently busy with?First of all, I take my career very easily. I don't like to use the word 'busy'. When you're doing something you love, you cannot be busy in the first place. So, I am never busy. Moreover, when you're busy, you tend to appreciate the norms of busyness. However, lately, I have been appreciating the softer things in life - greenery, meditation, nature etc. A signer cannot be busy. This word doesn't go with any artist.
As an artist, you must be contemplative. You have to indulge in yourself and your surroundings. Being busy takes that away, although we do a lot of things in a certain age. For instance, I used to do 6 events in a day before. At that time, the more I was on the run, the more I felt that things were going great. However, after a certain time, you really understand what you're doing. Things start to change then. Perceptions change. I do love my work. I love it aggressively!
On the other hand, I love that part of life as well which makes you a person. Over the years, I have realized that people don't love me for my musical creation only. They also love me for many other reasons. They also follow the other facets of my life and appreciate them. Thus, they also played a part in making me value those little pockets of facets that my life carries.
Do you have a favorite musical memory of your life or career?I am a fan of A R Rahman. So, the moments I spent with him inspired me. He is so great that he gives those inspiring moments to anyone that comes across. I feel lucky to be one of those. Though, there are many other musical moments or memories, this is something I will always remember and cherish. It is amazing to see how big and humble a person can be at the same time.
Besides, the love I get from people is another thing that I take as a gift from God. I don't know if I deserve such respect and appreciation. Nonetheless, the moments I spend with my fans give me full on pleasure. I don't feel like I have worked for it and attained by myself. I feel like it has been given to me by the divinity.
You have done a lot of things. So, what are you most passionate about? I have been in the media for ages now and yes, I have been in various sectors of the media. However, music was always the target. It is the furthest of all my talents. There was always a wish to pursue this talent and this pursuit made me appreciate music more than any of my other talents.
Moreover, throughout my whole life, I have been into music since childhood. After I grew up, I did a lot of other things - anchoring, newscasting, stage hosting, modeling etc. I did those to explore myself, to see what I can do, what I am capable of. That was after I completed my masters.
However, all these put together, none of it made me as happy as a little recording of my music did or always do. I still get offers for anchoring and other works but I have closed the doors of all those avenues just to keep my music alive. Among the other works, I am taking my social works very seriously. I do have some other projects in mind right now.
As you have been a judge of many musical shows both in home and abroad, if you were to give advice on music career, what would you say?Music and music career are two different things. If you want to be a musician, you just have to be a music lover and practitioner. On the other hand, for making a career out of it, you have to be professional. There are other traits you must need such as you have to be a good spokesperson, you have to have that stage presence, you need to have the X-factor that attracts people, you must understand business etc.
The most important thing is you need to connect with your audience instantly. Only when you can ensure that you can take music as a career choice. Then on, you need to take the career ahead. It is a tough game. Many other social challenges will come in the way. So, you need to have a strong backbone, courage, enthusiasm and you need to keep that lava flowing continuously to make music your career and earn from it solely.
What traits of yours helped you in your long successful career?My smile and love for everyone whoever approached me musically and productively. I have always been diligent. If someone criticizes me constructively, I consider that a blessing from God. I am very appreciative of those people. Also, my faith in myself and good parenting done by my parents helped me greatly as well. My parents taught me how to adapt in any given circumstances.
Furthermore, I take lessons from everything that happens in my life or in the world, be that positive or negative. Moreover, perseverance is another trait that made me who I am today. I take pride on my patience and steadfastness. It took me 6 years to make Anari. Instead of being lazy, contemplating on what may bring result in better outcome has brought me where I am today.
Are you satisfied with your long successful career? Or is there anything else left to do? Success is what I see in the eyes of the people who meet me. Seeing their appreciation and love makes me realize I might have done a lot. However, I personally feel like I have only given a handful number of songs that people may have liked. There are still a whole lot of people in the world who haven't heard my name or songs. There might be people like that in Bangladesh too. So, what should we call 'success'? That's why, like the word 'busy', I don't pay heed to the word 'success' too.
I don't let it go to my head so that I can enjoy a different vibe of life. I am not even interested to know if I am successful or not? I consider myself a musical worker. So, I need to keep on working.
When I ask myself, if I am working enough or not, I get the answer - No. So, I feel like pushing myself constantly and I do that. Even though I still have the enthusiasm like before when I was young, fear and dilemma also have taken their place now. For instance, should I do this work? Should I do this with him? or her? How will the product turn out? Should I sing this song? etc tend to occupy my mind now. Therefore, at this point of my life, if I can ensure finance and control my fears, then I will be able to give great things to people.
