Shaikh Shahed Ali talks about his album Classroome Boshe Shekha

Growing up in Gopibaj and being a lover of cricket and music, Shaikh Shahed Ali loved music from a young age, learning from his brother Iqbal and a friend how to play the guitar. Now having released his fourth album, Classroome Boshe Shekha, the artist takes through his life journey, discussing his influences and inspirations.

When did you first realise that you wanted to be a musician?

SSA: I started out by listening. My dad had a small turntable and though I liked all sorts of music, I still remember that the first song that I really and truly loved was Chubby Checker’s ‘Come On, Let’s Twist Again.’ I saw those as my songs.

What is your favourite song in the album Classroome Boshe Shekha?

SSA: I love all these songs, they are all my babies. I don’t really have a favourite song because each one has a different significance for me. For example, one of my songs is about a fifteen second love story, where I saw a girl on the street and we were both staring at each other and I believed it to be love. I immediately went to a teashop and ordered tea and shingaras, as well as something to write with. I wrote that song with a pencil on a housie sheet.

What is music to you?

SSA: Music is something that is purely mine. These hands, these feet, my nails, my eyes, they are not mine. But music is something that is truly mine. Listening to my own music is like time travelling through the different phases of my life.

Thoughts on being famous?

SSA: People who really love music shouldn’t be greedy for stardom. In fact it is better not to be a star because you have much more freedom to do what you want to do with your own music. Otherwise you are always thinking about what your fans want and live in fear of disappointing them and that holds you back at times.

Class Roome Boshe Shekha

Classroom e Boshe Shekha

Genre: Solo album by Shahed
Production: Agniveena
Lyrics, music composition and vocal: Shahed

Total songs: 10

Songs:
1) Sundari,
2) Khola Chul,
3) Jhumpak Jhakkas,
4) Amar Chinta Kotha Bole,
5) Bondhur Rong,
6) Tumi Amar,
7) Amar Ekta bou Dorkar,
8) Pagla Chhara Duniya,
9) Sundari 2, and
10) Classroom e Boshe Shekha (studio live).