Mesba Returns to Spotlight as ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’ Goes Viral

A familiar voice from Bangladesh’s band music scene has once again found itself at the centre of public attention. ‘Aj Keno Mon Udashi Hoye, Sraboner Meghgulo Joro Holo Akashe’, a much-loved song by Different Touch, has been repeatedly appearing on Facebook newsfeeds, with people using it alongside photographs, videos and personal moments.

The renewed popularity of the song is linked to a wave of solidarity expressed on social media following an alleged cyberbullying incident involving the headteacher of a government primary school in Sylhet. Teachers, musicians and people from different walks of life have been using the song to convey their support and protest. As a result, a younger generation is also rediscovering Mesba Rahman, the lead vocalist associated with the song and the band Different Touch.

There is a fitting coincidence in the song’s history. It was itself born on a rainy night during the month of Shravan. In 1987, Different Touch needed one final song for a new album. After several days of persistent rain, lyricist Ashraf Babu reportedly came up with the opening thought, ‘Sraboner Meghgulo Joro Holo Akashe’. The song was written that very night.

Over time, the composition became one of Different Touch’s signature numbers. Decades after its creation, its latest resurgence has given Mesba an opportunity to reflect on both the song’s journey and the changing ways in which music connects with audiences.

Speaking about the song’s renewed use, Mesba said he regarded its spread as a source of pride because people were choosing a Different Touch song as a means of expressing solidarity and protest. In his view, social media has become a space where people communicate a wide range of emotions. Such expressions can sometimes spark controversy, but they can also bring people together around a shared feeling or cause.

Mesba said he had not found anything objectionable in the video by Beauty Rani Pal that prompted the recent use of the song. He therefore sees its circulation as a positive expression of solidarity rather than simply another social media trend.

The conversation also took Mesba back to the early days of Different Touch. One of his most vivid memories is of an Eid programme on Bangladesh Television where ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’ was performed for the first time. This was the era when recorded albums played a central role in the country’s music industry. After the song was broadcast on television, audiences began to recognise Different Touch more widely. Its subsequent release on an album helped the song reach listeners across Bangladesh.

The song has also provided Mesba with some unusual memories from live performances. He recalls a concert at Jahangirnagar University where the band had just begun performing ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’ when torrential rain started. The performance had to be stopped to protect the expensive musical equipment. The organisers invited the band back the following year, only for a strikingly similar incident to occur: rain began again as the song was being performed.

For Mesba, the coincidence has become a cherished memory.

The response to the song has not been confined to Bangladesh. Whether performing at home or abroad, Mesba says he regularly sees audiences respond enthusiastically when the opening notes of ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’ are played. Sometimes, he does not even have to sing the entire song himself. If he forgets a line in the middle of a performance, members of the audience often take over and sing along.

For an artist, such moments can be deeply rewarding. They demonstrate that a song has moved beyond its original release and become part of the listeners’ own memories.

Mesba believes the song’s lasting appeal cannot be attributed solely to its lyrics or melody. The musical arrangement, he says, has also played a significant role. The distinctive guitar sound at the beginning immediately creates an emotional connection with listeners. In his assessment, even a well-written and beautifully composed song can struggle to reach a wide audience without an effective arrangement.

Despite the renewed interest in an old favourite, Mesba is not resting on the band’s past achievements. He says he is currently busy with live performances in Bangladesh and abroad. In recent weeks, he has appeared at stage shows in Gazipur, Cumilla, Khulna and Bogura. He has also performed at the ‘Shobar Age Bangladesh’ concert near the Parliament complex and at an event at Dhaka University’s Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall.

Alongside his concert schedule, work on new music is continuing. Mesba says several new songs have already been performed on stage and have received encouraging responses from audiences. He hopes that the new material will eventually achieve the same kind of lasting connection with listeners as songs such as ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’, ‘Drishti Pradip’ and ‘Mon Ki Je Chay’.

The final stages of studio work are now under way. This time, the artists plan to release songs with accompanying videos rather than limiting the releases to audio. The material is expected to be published through their own YouTube channel. The initial plan is to release individual songs, although there is also an intention to bring several tracks together in a special project at a later stage.

For Mesba, the renewed attention surrounding ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’ carries both joy and responsibility. Seeing a new generation search for Different Touch and reconnect with its music is encouraging, but it has also strengthened his determination to create and release fresh material.

The singer now hopes to complete the new work soon and return to audiences with new music. As an old song continues to find new meaning in the hands of a younger generation, Mesba’s story is a reminder of how music can outlive its era, re-emerging years later in moments when people need a familiar voice to express what they feel.