Rashed Uddin Ahmed Topu (born 2 June 1982) popularly known as Topu is a Bangladeshi musician, singer-songwriter and composer as well as the lead vocalist of Yaatri.[1][2] In 2004, Topu formed the band "Yaatri" and began his career with a compilation album Shopnochura released in 2004. He rose to fame with the release of the single "Ek Paye Nupur".[3] and signed with G-Series and released the first band album Daak in 2006.[4] He released his first solo studio album Bondhu Bhabo Ki in 2008, followed by the huge popularity, he released four solo studio albums, Shey Ke? (2010), Aar Tomake (2013), and Dekha Hobe Boley (2015).[5]

Topu
তপু
Background information
Birth nameRashed Uddin Ahmed Topu
Born (1982-06-02) 2 June 1982 (age 42)
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • composer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2004–present
LabelsG-Series
Member ofYaatri
Websitefacebook.com/TopuOfficial

Life and career

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1982–2004: Early life

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Topu was born on 2 June 1982.[6] His father, Shamshuddin Ahmed, was an officer in the Bangladesh Army who rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.[7] The family moved around a lot because of his job. A formative part of Topu's childhood was spent amidst the hills and trees at Comilla Cantonment.[6] He attended Ispahani Public School in Chittagong up to class six. In 1994, he entered Barisal Cadet College where he completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 1998 and then his Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC). He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from North South University and an MBA from the same university.[8]

Topu's enthusiasm to music began at an early age. He discovered his love for music back in high school when he started to compose and sing on his guitar.[2] He was literally inspired to write from his surroundings. His aptitude to music grew more when his father gave an acoustic guitar as gift for his glorious result in SSC examination.[9] He started his musical life in college, composing and writing lyrics and gave his first stage performance at Barisal Cadet College.

2005–07: Career beginnings

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While studying in North South University in 2003, Topu became a member of North South University Shangskritik Shangothon (NSUSS), one of the biggest clubs promoting culture and music in the university. In 2004, Topu and Emran met at the NSUSS, started jamming together and formed the band "Yaatri". The first line up of their band was Bipu (guitars), Mitu (bass), Emran (keys) and Topu (vocals). It was then when Tony, drummer of Black collaborated with them for their first single "Ek Paye Nupur" which was released in the compilation album Shopnochura at the end of 2004.

Yaatri was not officially formed until 2005 when Tony asked for another song in his sequel album Shopnochura II. After that they composed another single titled "Ekta Gopon Kotha" which was one of the highlights of that album, and this fame and recognition brought Khaled, owner of G-Series to offer them a record deal in November 2005. For the next eight months, both Topu and Emran worked with Buno in his studio Dhun, who mixed and mastered the album. Collaborating with other guitarists, bassists and drummers, Yaatri finished their debut album Daak in October 2006 which consists of ten compositions. It was released on 19 October on the occasion of Eid-ul-fitr. The album featuring songs Ei Ki Beshi Na, Bhalobasha Shunechi Ja, Ojana Mone, Ke Daake, Miththey Prem was a hit.

Personal life

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Topu married Naziba Selim on 24 August 2012 in Dhaka.[10] They have a daughter, Tari, born in 2019.[11]

Discography

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Band albums
  • 2006: Daak
Solo Studio albums
  • 2008: Bondhu Bhabo Ki?
  • 2010: She Ke?
  • 2013: Aar Tomake
  • 2015: Dekha Hobe Boley[5]
Compilation album
  • 2004: Shopnochura[12] – (track – Ek paye Nupur)
  • 2005: Shopnochura II[13] – (track – Ekta Gopon Kotha)
  • 2006: Underground[14] – (track – Jonmechi Tai)
  • 2007: Underground 2[15] – (track – Chetona)
  • 2007: Shopnochura III[16] – (track – Jonmechi Tai)
  • 2008: Bondhuta[17] – (track – Manush Matro Bhul)
  • 2008: The Hit Album[18] – (track – Mon Bhalo Nei)
  • 2008: Rock 101 – (track – Bodle Jai)
  • 2009: Rock 202 – (track – Keu Na Keui)
  • 2010: The Hit Album III – (track – Ei Shono)
  • 2012: Studio 58 & Singers – (track -Songopone)
  • 2012: Oporajita[19] – (track -Bhubondangar Hashi)
  • 2012: Letters From Siliguri 2 – (track -Toke Vabi Ami aka Dekhechi Toke)
  • 2012: Hatiar – (track -Na)
  • 2013: Nimontron – (track -Nimontron)
  • 2013: The Hit Album IV – (track – Joldighi)
  • 2014: Shopnochura IV[20] – (track -Ora Bodle Geche )
  • 2014: Keya Patar Nouko – (track -Bhalo Achi, Keya Pata )
Film Soundtrack Album

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 Third Person Singular Number Himself Film debut

Music videos

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Title Other performer(s) Director(s) Album
Nupur 2 Anila Naz Chowdhury Nazim & Taposh Bondhu Bhabo Ki
Meye Farmhouse Bondhu Bhabo Ki
Ekta Gopon Kotha Shamimul Hoque Swapnochura II
Jonmodin Nazmus Shadat Nazim She ke?
She Ke Nazmus Shadat Nazim She Ke?
Tumi Chole Jao Nazmus Shadat Nazim She ke?
Bhalobashi Nazmus Shadat Nazim She ke?
Ami Ke Anila Naz Chowdhury Nazmus Shadat Nazim She ke?
Mon Valo Nei Mamunur Rashid Khan The Hit Album
Mitthe Prem Rommo Khan Daak
Ei Shono Iqbal Ahmed (ColdFire Productions UK) The Hit Album 3
Bhuban Dangar Hashi Nancy Tawhidur Rahman Rubel Oporajita
Nimontron Nancy Rommo Khan Nimontron
Ar Tomake Rommo Khan Ar Tomake
Evabe Na Single Light Production Ar Tomake

Other works

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Book
  • 2010: Ekti Gopon Kotha

Topu made his debut as a writer with the book "Ekti Gopon Kotha" which was published in 2010 under Ajob Productions at the Ekushey Book Fair. The book contains lyrics of 36 of his songs. They are mostly romantic songs and all the lyrics are written by him.[21]

As host
  • 2010: Monbondhur Moner Deshe – (TV Program; aired on 15 September 2010)[22]
  • 2010: Monbondhur Moner Deshe – (TV Program; aired in November 2010)
  • 2012: Amar Guitar Amar Gaan – (TV Program; aired on 11 March 2012)[23]

Awards and nominations

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Meril Prothom Alo Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010[24] Third Person Singular Number Best Film Actor (Critics Choice ) Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Topu's forth project". Dhaka Tribune. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Topu talks about his songs, Yaatri and going solo". The Daily Star. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  3. ^ তপুর দেখা হবে বলে. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 4 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Daak: A Soothing Creation". Daily Star. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Topu back with 'Dekha Hobe Bole'". Prothom Alo. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Topu says". New Age. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2014 – via bdnewslive.
  7. ^ "Renowned singer Topu loses his father". The Daily Star. 23 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Melody All the Way". The Daily Star. 2 December 2012.
  9. ^ যাত্রীর লিড ভোকালিস্ট তপু. BBC (in Bengali). 21 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Topu ties the knot". The Daily Star. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  11. ^ বাবা হলেন সংগীতশিল্পী তপু [Father is musician Tapu]. Amader Shomoy (in Bengali). 2 October 2019.
  12. ^ আবার'স্বপ্নচূড়া' – স্বপ্নচূড়ার প্রথম অ্যালবামটি প্রকাশিত হয় ২০০৪ সালে।. Bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  13. ^ ৯ বছর পর তপু- ২০০৫ সালে 'স্বপ্নচূড়া-২' অ্যালবামে 'গোপন কথা' শীর্ষক গানটি গান তিনি।. Jaijaidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Underground [Band Mixed Album]". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  15. ^ "Underground 2 [Band Mixed Album]". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  16. ^ স্বপ্নচূড়া-৩ প্রকাশের দীর্ঘ ৭ বছর পর স্বপ্নচূড়া-৪. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  17. ^ ব্যান্ড ও সলো শিল্পীদের "বন্ধুতা" (in Bengali). projanmo.com. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  18. ^ ঈদে জি সিরিজের যত অ্যালবাম. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  19. ^ প্রিন্স মাহমুদের 'অপরাজিতা'. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  20. ^ প্রকাশ হলো স্বপ্নচূড়া-৪. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  21. ^ "Boi Mela new arrival – Musician Topu's 'secret' is out". The Daily Star. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  22. ^ উপস্থাপনায় তপু. Bangladesh Pratidin.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  23. ^ আমি উপস্থাপনা করছি. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Meril Prothom Alo Awards". The Daily Star. 11 April 2010.
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