Zulfiqer Russell

Zulfiqer Russell (; born 13 November 1977) is a Bangladeshi lyricist and journalist. He served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the film Putro. He was the winner of the Channel i Music Awards in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2022 and also received the Mirchi Music Awards (Bangla) award for the Song of the Year in the Modern Song category for, "Shabuj Chilo". On 2020 he was awarded CJFB Performance Award 2019 as best lyricist. He had also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A. R. Rahman. He wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh ' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh.

Early life and education

Zulfiqer Russell was born on 13 November 1977, in the Dhaka District of Bangladesh. He is the son of Abdus Salam (father) and Saleha Begum (mother). He studied at the Muslim Modern Academy, and graduated from Dhaka City College.

Career At the beginning of 1993, Russell's poems were featured in a number of publications including Ajker Kagoj. His first poem was "Kofine Ojoggo Purush". He is the only lyricist in Bangladesh who received an appreciation letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wrote the official welcome song "O Prithibi Ebar Ese Bangladesh Nao Chine" for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. He penned around thousand songs since 1994, many of which were sung by prominent artists. He was one of the top lyricists of the year 2011. Russell served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026, and has previously written for publications such as The Daily Ittefaq and The Daily Janakantha. He has also worked for Maasranga Television and Bangla newspapers, Daily Amader Shomoy, Ajker Kagoj and Banglabazar Patrika.

In addition to working with fellow Bangladeshi artists, He has also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A R Rahman, he is the first Bangladeshi lyricist who collaborated with A R Rahman. He also work with Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Javed Ali, Palak Muchhal, Benny Dayal, Zubin Garg, Nachiketa, Anjan Dutt, Indranil Sen, Rupankar Bagchi, Raghab Chatterjee, Anwesha, Chinmoyee, Iman Chakrabarty. Zulfiqer Russell wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh ).

He is also active in a various organisation like the Lyricists Association of Bangladesh (Geetikobi Shongho) where he places himself as Organizing Secretary. By this platform they want amendments on copyright law to stop the unauthorized use of lyrics. Tina Russell Tunai Debasish Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music March 2021 Ektai Ache Desh Fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh Sajid Sarkar Sajid Sarkar The People's Republic of Bangladesh March 2021 Amar Shonar Bangla A R Rahman A R Rahman A R Rahman The People's Republic of Bangladesh May 2021 Akash Amar Jochona Amar Pilu Khan Pilu Khan RENAISSANCE Dhruba Music Station December 2021 Hoyechhe Ki Sonar Bangla Aditi Mohsin, Sharmin Sultana Sumi, Lincon D Costa & Jahid Nirob Pavel Areen Pavel Areen The People's Republic of Bangladesh December 2021 Agami 50 (Next50) Lincon D Costa, Nirob, Masha Islam, Tashfi, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Oyshee, Salman, Innima, Yar Hossain, Shanto, Sagar, Nibir Pavel Areen Pavel Areen Shah Cement February 2022 Ki Sundor Kore Bolle Tina Russell Nachiketa Chakraborty Imran Mahmudul Soundtek February 2022 Jani To Shohoj Noy Fahmida Nabi Nachiketa Chakraborty Ridwan Nabi Pancham ZuTi Music February 2022 Chetonar Ekushe Bangla-ke Bhalobeshe Kona, Nirab, Masha Islam, Dipen Mahajan, Tonu, Yar Hossain, Sagar Pavel Areen Pavel Areen Shah Cement March 2022 Joy Bangladesh A R Rahman A R Rahman A R Rahman Bangladesh Cricket Board March 2022 EktuKhani Kostho Diteo Samina Chowdhury Nachiketa Chakraborty Ridwan Nabi Pancham ZuTi Music March 2022 Ichchhe Holei Dio Imran Mahmudul and Tina Russell Imran Mahmudul Imran Mahmudul Soundtek December 2022 Bangladesh Awami League (Theme Song) Pantha Kanai, Chandana Mojumdar, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Masha Islam Pavel Areen Office Cell, Bangladesh Awami League February 2023 Kichhu Nei Jaar Tina Russell Bappa Mazumder Bappa Mazumder Bee Emmz Workstation March 2023 FBCCI Theme Song (50 years) Pantha Kanai, Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum, Tashfee, Abanti Shithi, Nasrin Nasha Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum Tanveer Khan Pop Up June 2023 Shey Ekta Gaachh Nachiketa Chakraborty Nachiketa Chakraborty Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music June 2023 Shudhu Bhalobashai Shob No Iman Chakraborty Tunai Debasish Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music September 2023 Ami Bhalo Nei Samina Chowdhury Nachiketa Chakraborty Ridwan Nabi Pancham ZuTi Music April 2024 Sanjeeb Dalchhut Bappa Mazumder Dalchhut Swadhin Music April 2024 Ekibhabe Din Ashe Anwesha Tunai Debasish Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music September 2025 Eki Bhul Hobe Na Aar Shovan Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music November 2025 Obujh Pakhi Zubeen Garg Tunai Debasish Ganguly Tunai Debasish Ganguly ZuTi Music February 2026 Tumi Bollei Bappa Mazumder & Tina Russell Bappa Mazumder Bappa Mazumder ZuTi Music

Awards

Year Award Category Outcome2008 Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association Best Lyricist Citycell-Channel i Music Awards 2009 Dhaka Cultural Reporters Unity 2010 Citycell-Channel i Music Awards 2013 2017 Mirchi Music Awards Bangla Song of the year (Modern song) 2018 Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics Best Lyricist 2019 CJFB Performance Award Best Lyricist 2022 Channel i Music Awards Best Lyricis (Thematic song)