Bangladeshi actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila’s musical roots go back to her childhood. Trained in Nazrul Geeti, she grew up in a musical environment and later went on to write a number of lyrics for Bangla songs and also sang in different albums. Her recent performance videos from home in Dhaka during lockdown have been widely praised. And now, she is set to cover another song soon! The Telegraph chats with the multi-hyphenate talent...

Musicians across the world are bringing hope and sending out positive vibes and the message of resilience to drive away the lockdown blues. How important a role did music play in your life in the last three months?

Music has always played a very significant role in my life since my childhood. Listening to music has helped me and my daughter (Ayra) a lot. We have also practised together, recorded a couple of songs on mobile phones and shared on my YouTube channel and Facebook. My daughter covered La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf and I Have A Dream by Abba. These are just some of our amateur efforts to keep ourselves busy in positivity.

My brother, Maimun, who’s also a musician, has played along with us. Our next project is to cover In A Manner Of Speaking by Nouvelle Vague. My brother Maimun Khan has arranged the music for this one. Apart from my work, music has helped me survive through this gloomy pandemic for the past three-and-a-half months.

You must have heard some inspiring lockdown collaborations and watched videos in the last few months. Which were your favourites?

I am a big fan of Coldplay. Chris Martin has played for his fans on Instagram, which I enjoyed. Coldplay released a beautiful song with an animated video on Father’s Day, which is my favourite now.
You did a cover of Radiohead’s Creep during the lockdown. Why pick that song?

I love that song... heard it years back and for some reason I could always connect to it. I do feel at times weird and a misfit in a world that always pushes you to prove yourself, hails glamour and a lot about having superficial achievements. I sometimes feel tired of putting up with this world. On the other hand, now we are in a different situation, trying to adapt to the new normal, which also at times makes us feel that we don’t belong here.

And you performed Tumi ebar from home...

The song Tumi ebar is written by Srijit (Mukherji; husband). I love the words and the song. I actually learned to play it on guitar to impress Srijit and recorded it for him! He later uploaded it on Facebook.

Tell us about your roots in music… training in vocals and learning to play the guitar. Initially you had learned to play the chords from singer-songwriter Arnob, your cousin...

I was trained in Nazrul Geeti during my childhood. I grew up in a musical environment. My dad used to play tabla as a hobby, my chacha (dad’s brother) used to play Hawaiian guitar, my cousins were all trained in music. Arnob and I sort of grew up together and I have seen him playing different instruments, starting from keyboard, guitar, esraaj, piano etc. Me and my sisters provided background vocals in his first album. Although I never took it seriously as a profession, music has always been an integral part of my upbringing. Later I wrote a number of lyrics for Bangla songs and also sang in different albums, title songs of telefilms.... I sang one song named Ogochore for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s film Third Person Singular Number. Having said all that, I am not a professional singer. I just sing sometimes out of my love for music.

Arnob and vocalist Sunidhi Nayak recently released the song Jogot jure udar shure. What’s your take on their version and the music they have been making together?

Arnob is a very talented musician and Sunidhi is a brilliant singer. I love their work together. Arnob’s music gives Rabindrasangeet a different dimension.

What have you grown up listening to?

Growing up I have listened to all kinds and genres of music. I have listened to Bangla songs from Rabindrasangeet to Hemanta (Mukhopadhyay), Manna Dey to Azam Khan, Mohiner Ghoraguli, Kabir Suman, Anjan Dutt to the band music of Bangladesh. In fact, I have always been a diehard fan of Bangla band music such as Nagar Baul, LRB, Miles, Warfaze, Artcell, Black and so on since my childhood. The Bangla rock band music scenario was always very rich and vibrant in Bangladesh.

On the other hand, I have also listened to English rock, metal, pop, country all kinds of music, from Metallica, Santana, The Doors, Deep Purple, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, John Denver, Abba, Pink Floyd, Sting, Coldplay, Dido to Lola Marsh... it’s really a very long list. I have also listened to many Hindi songs growing up and R.D. Burman is my favourite.

And what are you currently listening to?

It really depends on my mood. But in recent years I have been listening to Angus and Julia Stone, Lola Marsh, Ray LaMontagne along with Arnob, Anupam Roy as well as music from talented upcoming artistes in Bangladesh.

Who’s been your biggest influence in music?

Difficult to take one name. At different times and ages, different kinds of musicians came as magicians in my life.

Your birthday is on May 25 while Dylan’s on May 24. That must feel special!

Yes it does. But I feel more elated about being born on the same day as Kazi Nazrul Islam! May 25 is Nazrul’s birthday as well.

What’s your fave Dylan song?

Blowin’ In The Wind, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, and Make You Feel My Love.

Recently you posted that Anjan Dutt has been a fave musician since your teen years. Why was his music so special to you?

I could connect and visualise Anjan Dutt’s music. His songs were like stories to me, introducing characters like Bela Bose, Mala, Mary Ann. Anjanda’s music... his words were simple, yet deep.

Which are your fave songs from Srijit’s films?

Almost all of them. I had watched only two of Srijit’s films before I met him. But later I realised that I have listened to most of the songs from his films. I am an avid listener and I listen to anything that is soothing to my ears. From his recent films, my favourites are: Kichchu chaini ami from Shah Jahan Regency, Je kawta din and Abar phire ele from Dwitiyo Purush.

When are you two meeting again?

As soon as we can! It’s been almost four months since we last saw each other in person.