Dhaka, Sept. 12 -- Ghazal. A lyrical form rooted in Arabic poetry, traditionally centres on themes of love, both earthly and spiritual that conveys the duality of longing and fulfilment, often portraying the anguish of separation from the beloved alongside the enduring beauty and power of love itself. In a quiet corner of contemporary Bengali music, the soulful strains of ghazal - still a popular genre among listeners here - are steadily finding a voice, through the lyrics of many talented individuals. Among them is Khwaja Haider, a lyricist whose devotion to the form is as much spiritual as it is artistic.

In an exclusive conversation with Dhaka Courier, Khwaja Haider opened up about his journey, his philosophy, and his dreams for Benga...