“Pritom’s Prahari in tribute to Bir Uttom Anwar Hossain”

Popular Bangladeshi singer and composer Pritom Hasan recently stirred curiosity across social media with a series of enigmatic posts. One photograph, showing him performing amidst members of the Bangladesh Army, immediately caught the public eye. The intrigue deepened when he later shared another image of himself in military uniform, accompanied only by the cryptic numbers “15.01.26”. Fans speculated widely: was a collaboration, a film project, or something more symbolic on the horizon?

The mystery was resolved yesterday evening when Pritom officially released his new song, Prohori (The Sentinel), at 9 pm. More than just a musical release, Prohori stands as a heartfelt tribute to a national hero and carries a profound historical and emotional weight.

The song has been dedicated to Bir Uttom Lieutenant Mohammad Anwar Hossain, the first commissioned military officer to be martyred during the initial armed resistance at the dawn of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. A courageous officer of the 1st East Bengal Regiment, famously known as the “Senior Tigers”, Lieutenant Anwar Hossain laid down his life in defence of the motherland at a moment when the nation’s struggle for independence had only just begun. His sacrifice marked a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s military and liberation history.

In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, the independent state of Bangladesh posthumously honoured Lieutenant Mohammad Anwar Hossain with the gallantry award “Bir Uttom”, the country’s second-highest military honour. His legacy continues to live on not only in history books but also in institutions such as the Shaheed Bir Uttom Lieutenant Anwar Girls’ College, located within the Dhaka Cantonment, which stands as a living memorial to his courage and patriotism.

Prohori seeks to introduce this legacy to a new generation through music. Pritom Hasan has lent his voice to the song and also composed its music, while the lyrics were penned by Russell Mahmud. The accompanying music video was directed by Manjur Anik, blending evocative visuals with a restrained yet powerful musical arrangement that mirrors the solemn dignity of its subject.

Speaking about the project, Pritom revealed that discussions around Prohori had been ongoing for several months. “We had been talking about this project for quite some time—probably since December,” he explained. “Due to time constraints, we couldn’t execute it then. Still, we were determined to do something meaningful with the concept. I’m glad that we were finally able to release the song.”

He added that the team consciously attempted something different from conventional patriotic songs. “We wanted to create something that hasn’t been done before. I’m genuinely satisfied with the outcome. I hope it resonates especially with young listeners—those who are often drawn to Hollywood or alternative musical styles—and offers them a fresh, thought-provoking experience.”

By blending contemporary sound with historical reverence, Prohori positions itself not merely as a song, but as a cultural bridge between Bangladesh’s past sacrifices and its present generation.

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