Mingling visuals with songs

Scene from music videos directed by Mithu

Mithu felt that the visuals should go into the depth of the lyrics of the songs. He then began on the soulful Lalon song, Khanchar bhithor ochin pakhi... in which he did not use any model. Next he went on to patriotic songs and did Shobkota janala kholey dao na where mothers of martyred freedom fighters envision spirits of their sons. He depicted human figures in black and white robes, carrying candles, emerging from their graves. Seven huge windows were used in the production at Savar.

"So far I've done more than 2000 music videos on Rabindra Sangeet, patriotic songs, Lalon Geeti, and other folk songs like Bhawaiya. I've done a lot of work on band music too. I've first concentrated on the pioneers, Azam Khan, Fakir Alamgir and Lucky Akhand," he said.

"The last music video that I did was a patriotic song by Rafique, a new artiste. The song questions why there is still turmoil in the country despite all the sacrifices made by people. Apart from this is a piece on Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya with five of her songs. This has the settings of Sangsad Bhaban, Savar and Gazipur Forest. I'm also editing five songs by Azam Khan and songs by Rupom and Tito who are both committed singers," he added.

Asked what work he had enjoyed doing best he said that it was the song by Lalon, which uses the phrase Khomo, khomo, oporadh (Forgive me, God). For this he used a 95-year-old model on the beach of Cox's Bazar. It took him three days to complete this song by Farida Parveen. This is not to say, he said, that he did not enjoy working with Papiya Sarwar, Sadi Mahmood, Ferdous Ara, Sabina Yasmeen, Ayub Bachchu and Syed Abdul Hadi. He said," What I liked best, as I said before, is the song shot without the singer, as I can then go into the depth of the song. Among the bands it is Prometheus that I've enjoyed best as they incorporate many soulful actions."

Focusing on the subjects he wished to bring into his camera in future, Mithu said he plans a joint programme with Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmeen. Similarly, he wants a contrast of seasoned singers like Azam Khan with Bappa Majumdar, Habib and Prometheus' Biplob. He also wants to do a video of singers of Harano Diner Gaan, with details of their background.

His co-workers at his studio, Arjo Cholochitro are Sohail Mujumdar, Manzoor Hussain, and Akash. His editors are Hero Chakma and Jahangir. Mithu has been winning prizes for his camera work since his school days and has won awards galore as an adult. In addition, he is known for his paintings, which too have won local and overseas praise.