Gitikabi Sangha marks six years of lyricists' welfare advocacy
'Geetikobi Sangha Bangladesh' (Lyricists' Association of Bangladesh) was established in 2020 with the objective of ensuring the rights, dignity, recognition, and welfare of the original creators of Bengali songs—the lyricists. Over the six years since its inception, the organization has advocated for amendments to the Copyright Act, taken initiatives to collect royalties, and worked to preserve the creative works of lyricists. Furthermore, it has been active in providing honors and medical assistance, as well as expanding its organizational reach.
Recently, questions were raised on social media regarding the organization's activities and achievements. In response, Sirajum Munir—a lyricist and the association's Organizing Secretary—provided a detailed account of the association's various initiatives, achievements, and activities from its founding until October 2026, through a post on his personal Facebook page.
Drawing from his four years of close involvement with the organization, he noted that documenting the full scope of its six-year journey would be substantial enough to fill an entire book—comparable in scale to the association's own publication, *Sanghajoner Geetikobita* (Lyricists of the Association).
A Unified Platform for Lyricists
The process of establishing the association began on July 3, 2020, with an initial organizational meeting attended by lyricists from various generations. The organization was officially launched on July 24 of the same year.
Its name, constitution, and coordination committee were finalized based on the consensus of over fifty lyricists. The organizational foundation was built with the support and participation of eminent lyricists, including Gazi Mazharul Anwar, Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, and Moniruzzaman Monir. Subsequently, the organization expanded its scope through the formation of a regular executive committee, the conduct of elections, the holding of general meetings, and the expansion of its membership base.
Initiatives at the State Level for Copyright Law Reform
From the very first month of its existence, the association began engaging with government authorities regarding the copyright and creative rights of lyricists.
On August 14, 2020, representatives of the organization held a nearly three-hour meeting with Jafar Raja Chowdhury—the then-Registrar of the Bangladesh Copyright Office and a Joint Secretary. Participants in this meeting included Gazi Mazharul Anwar, Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, Moniruzzaman Monir, and several others. The proposed Copyright Act was a key focus of the meeting, with an emphasis on safeguarding the interests of lyricists, protecting the rights of original song creators, and resolving existing legal complexities. A formal letter requesting amendments to the law was also submitted to the relevant authorities that same month.
According to the organization, during stakeholder discussions on the amendment of the Copyright Act in 2021, a consensus was reached to recognize both the lyricist and the composer as joint creators of a song. However, concerns arose when the subsequent draft of the amended law omitted this recognition for lyricists.
In response, on February 23, 2023, the organization took steps to bring the matter to the attention of Simin Hossain Rimi, the then-chairperson of the relevant parliamentary standing committee. The organization maintains that such initiatives are crucial for protecting the ownership, copyright, and rights to fair royalties for the works created by lyricists.
Direct Intervention in Royalty Disputes
The organization has consistently played an active role in protecting the financial rights of lyricists. In October 2026, following a complaint from a lyricist regarding royalty calculations, the organization’s leaders held a direct meeting with representatives from the relevant royalty management entity. As a result of these discussions, arrangements were made to recalculate and verify the figures.
Observers note that such direct intervention by the organization in individual royalty disputes serves as a positive precedent for safeguarding the professional rights of lyricists.
Copyright Workshop Open to All
To raise awareness among lyricists regarding their legal rights, the organization—in collaboration with the Bangladesh Copyright Office—hosted a copyright workshop on October 17, 2026, in Agargaon, Dhaka. The workshop covered topics such as copyright registration, the protection of creative works, the legal rights of lyricists, and related complexities, featuring both discussions and a Q&A session. The event was not limited to members alone but was kept open to all lyricists across the country. Commemorating Deceased Lyricists
To preserve the memory and contributions of the legendary lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar, the association—in collaboration with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy—organized a memorial event on September 12, 2022. The then-Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, attended as the chief guest. The event was also attended by members of the late lyricist’s family, as well as prominent lyricists, composers, vocalists, and cultural figures. A documentary on his life and work was screened, and calls were made to preserve his timeless songs and to name a facility or a road after him.
Additionally, on January 20, 2024, the association organized a special memorial meeting for the late poet and lyricist Zahidul Haque. Discussions within the association have also highlighted the importance of honoring the contributions of lyricists from various generations—including the late K. G. Mostafa, Kawsar Ahmed Chowdhury, Omar Faruk Bishal, and Borno Chakraborty—and preserving their creative works.
Honoring Living Legends: ‘Geetikobi Adda’ (Lyricists’ Gathering)
The association has taken special initiatives to honor veteran lyricists and introduce their creative lives to the new generation. Towards the end of 2020, leaders of the association visited the homes of their lifetime members to present them with special greeting cards featuring photographs.
The first installment of ‘Geetikobi Adda’ was held on May 10, 2025, at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the capital. During this event, three distinguished lyricists of modern Bengali music—Shahid Mahmud Jangi, Liton Adhikari Rintu, and Golam Morshed—were honored. The second installment, held on July 11, 2026, featured renowned lyricists Shahidullah Faraji and Tarun Munshi as guests. These events explored the lyricists’ experiences in songwriting, their creative journeys, their artistic philosophies, and their contributions to Bengali music.
‘Sanghajoner Geetikobita’ (Lyric Poetry by Association Members) – Featuring the Works of 129 Lyricists
One of the notable... A notable publication is *Sanghajoner Gitikobita* (Lyrics by Association Members). This anthology, a joint project by the 'Gitikobi Sangha Bangladesh' (Lyricists' Association of Bangladesh) and Adorn Publications, was launched on November 29, 2024, at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra.
The book features brief biographies and photographs of 129 lyricists—ranging from veterans to newcomers—along with a list of 10 selected songs for each, as well as one complete set of lyrics per person. Consequently, it preserves information on approximately 1,300 selected songs and includes 129 complete lyrical works. The project was brought to fruition through a long-term process involving communication with members, collection of writings, verification of information, editing, and coordination with the publisher. The book is regarded as an important document for preserving the profiles and creative works of Bengali songwriters for future generations.
Supporting Ailing and Financially Distressed Lyricists
Beyond its cultural activities, the Association has extended support to lyricists who are ill or facing financial hardship. According to records, a total of 53,000 BDT in financial assistance was provided in September 2024. Additionally, in September–October 2024, members raised funds to assist a lyricist struggling with post-surgical financial difficulties; by early October, 22,000 BDT was delivered to the individual.
These two documented initiatives account for a total of 75,000 BDT in aid. Representatives of the organization noted that it has frequently supported lyricists in times of illness or distress; however, the identities of the recipients have not been disclosed to protect their dignity and privacy.
Healthcare Agreement for Members and Their Families
On December 31, 2024, the Association signed a corporate healthcare agreement with Universal Medical College Hospital. Under this arrangement, members and their families are entitled to special discounts on various medical screenings—including executive health check-ups and cardiac evaluations—as well as other designated hospital services. Subsequently, the Association undertook the process of verifying member information and issuing identification cards. According to those involved, this initiative has added a new dimension to the Association’s member welfare programs. Demand for Separate Awards for Lyricists and Composers
To ensure recognition for the distinct contributions of lyricists and composers, the association has called for the introduction of separate categories at the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards. A formal proposal regarding this was prepared in 2024. The association argues that the popularity of a song stems from the fundamental contributions of the lyricist and composer, alongside the vocalist; therefore, they deserve separate recognition and honors. The association has indicated that discussions on this matter are currently underway.
Dedicated Website and Digital Presence
The association’s official website (https://lyricistsassociationbd.com/) was launched during the Annual General Meeting on March 21, 2025. The site features member profiles, an overview of the organization, and information about its various activities, providing a digital space to preserve the profiles of lyricists and organizational records.
Elections, Membership, and Organizational Accountability
The association has maintained a consistent, democratic process for electing its leadership. Following the formation of the inaugural executive committee for the 2021–2022 term, a new committee was elected through a voting process held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 29, 2022. On November 29, 2024, at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, the results for the subsequent 15-member executive committee were announced, followed by the swearing-in ceremony and the formal handover of responsibilities.
In 2023, 11 new lyricists were granted membership, and the inclusion of new and emerging lyricists has continued since then. During the Annual General Meeting on March 21, 2025, the General Secretary presented the organizational report, while the Finance Secretary presented the financial report; new members were also introduced at the event.
Through general meetings, Iftar gatherings, award ceremonies, cultural programs, and informal meet-ups, opportunities have been created to strengthen communication and relationships between veteran and younger lyricists.
Achievements and Future Challenges
Although various initiatives have been implemented over the past six years, significant challenges remain in securing the rights of lyricists. Further efforts are required to ensure fair royalties, enforce copyright laws effectively, secure appropriate remuneration for original creators, and establish professional security. In his remarks, Sirajum Munir highlighted the need to strengthen the organization’s activities in these areas.
He stated, “There is a fundamental difference between ‘work left undone’ and ‘no work having been done at all.’”
Noting that everyone has the right to criticize the organization, he emphasized that such criticism should be grounded in facts, history, and an accurate assessment of actual contributions. As he put it, “The success of a voluntary cultural organization cannot be measured solely by the number of events it has hosted. Significant contributions also include pursuing legal claims, supporting an ailing colleague, honoring a veteran creator, or preserving the works of over a hundred lyricists for future generations.”
Since its inception and looking ahead to 2026, the activities of the *Gitikobi Sangha Bangladesh* (Lyricists’ Association of Bangladesh) have encompassed a multifaceted endeavor—advocating for rights, fostering organizational unity, preserving creative works, promoting social welfare, and securing professional recognition. It is the hope of those involved that the organization will continue to play an increasingly effective role in establishing the fair rights and dignity of lyricists in the years to come.
