First female guitarist of Bangladesh

Her beginnings in music were in the early eighties. Her elder brother used to play music at that time. Pop legend Azam Khan came at her home then. When her older brother played and learned guiter, she tried to learn by watching. She did not have the dare to touch his elder brother's guitar. Because, she is a girl. At that time it was unthinkable for a girl to play the guitar. So she started practicing guitar by drawing fred on a wooden scale. This was the beginning of her journey in the world of music. Talking about the first female guitarist of the country Shermin Ahmed Minni.

In 1983, Bangladesh Shishu Academy invited children musicians from all over the country to audition for a programme on the occasion of Children's Day. Those who selected the audition would be go on official cultural tours to Morocco and Turkey. Minni signed up for the audition. But, she has no guitar to attend the audition. Then pop legend Azam Khan handed over his guitar to Minni. Minni was finally selected. Upon receiving this news, Azam Khan named Minni as 'First Female Guitarist of the Country'.

Then she played for many years. At one point, Khayyam Ahmed and Minni formed the band ‘Greenex’ together. She recorded a few songs then. Then he migrated to America. thats why the band could not continue.

Asked how the then conservative society viewed your career? she said, "band music has always been, is, will be the favorite music of young people. Young people of that time was very supportive and loved me. But, the aged people did not took it well. I ignored them and moved forward.”

What does a woman need if she wants to do band music? she said, “the first thing is family support. It is very difficult for a woman to fulfill her dream without the support of her family. Then there is the need for social and state patronage. With all this, it becomes very easy for any woman to fulfill her dream.”

Our band music has come a long way, but what do you think is lacking? Her answer to such  question is, “there is no institute for learning band music in our country yet. Those who learn are probably learning from a musician. That's not enough. It was very important to have an institute.”

Asked why you are less known to the audience?she said, "We spread less good news. If it was bad news, everyone would have known for so long. Almost all the guitarists in the country know me. But I am less familiar with the audience because I haven't played with a band in a long time. After leaving America, I stayed away from music for long 12 years. Which is why the general audience actually knows me a little. But those who know about history of band music, know about me. This is my place of peace.”

Regarding the current busy schedule, she said, "Khaye mbhai and I have again formed a band called 'Nirab Nirbanas'. Selim Haider bhai will play here as a guest guitarist. Piyas is on the keyboard. Apu bhai is also in the lineup. I just started the band. The speed of work is a little slow due to Covid. I am moving forward slowly.”