From being a source of entertainment to serving as a means of elucidating human expressions, it is impossible to imagine a world without music. But plagiarism is something that has been plaguing the Bangladesh music industry for decades.

Shawkat Islam, a celebrated lyricist and composer in Bangladesh, however, feels that the Bangladesh Lyricists, Composers, and Performers Society (BLCPS) is gradually emerging as the apt answer to the menace that has been depriving the artistes of this country of due credit for their original work.

"BLCPS ushers in a new beginning, creating new energy, hope and aspiration among the creative souls, including the lyricists, composers and the singers who have dedicated all their sweat in upholding the glory of our music industry. The recognition of copyrights has been a burning yet unsolved issue in the country since long, thus making ways to frequent chaos, misfortunes as well as a series of mishaps", he told the media recently.

"However with BLCPS, I am quite an optimist, the bad days are finally gone greeting a new era for all kinds of musicians in Bangladesh," Shawkat said, while commenting on his recent engagement with the new-born BLCPS.

A noted name in the music industry who has published a total of 46 music albums since 2000, Shawkat is always passionate for innovation and creativity. After quitting the Bangladesh Army, he decided to invest his talent in the music industry and immediately enthralled the audience with his debut album ‘Eka Udashi Mone’ released in December 2000.

Since then he has recorded over 600 songs, which include blockbuster tracks such as ‘Ek Akasher Tara’ by Ayub Bachchu, ‘Pagla Hawa’ by James and ‘Bashiwala’ by Tishma. He has recorded a total of three duet albums with Bangladeshi legendary band artistes and rockstars James and Ayub Bachchu, titled “Achhol”, “Noy Chhoy” and “Dil”.  

He has also created other popular solo numbers for renowned artistes, including ‘Tomar chokhe dekhle bondhu’ by Ayub Bachchu, ‘Shala la la’ by Kaniz Suborna, ‘Akashe tor bari gelo’ by Asif, ‘Jeona Chole bondhu’ by Ayub Bachchu and ‘Tomake bou banabo’ by Runa Laila and Asif. He also worked as a music director for the movie ‘Tomake Bou Banabo’, starring Shakib Khan and Shabnur.

In his illustrious career, Shawkat has composed 39 songs for James and 48 songs for Ayub Bachchu. Besides, he has composed songs for Shafin Ahmed, Maqsood, Runa Laila, Andrew Kishore, Asif, Bappa Mozumder, Partho Barua, Hasan, Biplob, Pathik Nabi, Doly Syontony, Aankhi Alamgir, Kaniz Subrna, Samina Chowdhury, Fahmida Nobi, Tishma, Tipu, Nasim Ali Khan, Nancy and many other prominent singers of Bangladesh.

Most recently, he directed a movie, titled ‘Nodir Bukey Chaad’, featuring Porimoni and Symon Sadik, which is awaiting release. He has written and composed six songs for the movie as well.

BLCPS is the first-ever collective management organization for the music industry in Bangladesh. Established in 2013, the organisation obtained its license from the government in 2014, for the purpose of administering the rights of Bangladeshi lyricists, composers, singers and performers.