Sharmin Sultana Sumi: Touching Lives

Show notes

In this episode of Long Take: Life as an Artist, we sit down with Sharmin Sultana Sumi, a Bangladeshi lyricist, composer, vocalist, and entrepreneur, best known for her work with the internationally acclaimed folk-rock band Chirkutt. Sumi shares her philosophy of music and life, rooted in resilience and fueled by personal hardships. Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms!

Sumi opens up about her career path—from overcoming initial struggles as a female lead singer to performing on international stages alongside legendary bands like Scorpions, collaborating with the Norwegian band Casa Murilo, and performing at MTV India, South By Southwest, Jaffa Music Festival, Womex, and more. She introduces us to her creative ventures, including Kokil Studios and Spring Off Music, her dynamic production hub. Sumi also discusses projects like Nodi Rocks (featuring one song for each river in Bangladesh), which reflects her passion for linking music and environmental advocacy. Additionally, she shares insights into her advertising company, Salt Creatives, which often focuses on climate change initiatives.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about making music larger than life, thriving in the face of adversity, and embracing creativity for a greater cause. Fun fact: Sumi has the unique ability to write a song during an interview. Let’s find out if she crafted one this time!

A Podcast by Norient

Host: Thomas Burkhalter
Sound: Daniel Jakob, Melodies In My Head
Mix and Mastering: Daniel Jakob
Graphic Design (Cover): Pamuditha Zen Anjana
Editorial support: The Norient team + Rebecca Favale
Support in Dhaka: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo
Funding: Pro Helvetia, srks Stiftung für Radio und Kultur Schweiz

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For a more experimental listening experience, check out the highly produced podcast TIMEZONES on Norient. You can also explore Burkhalter’s latest project, Melodies In My Head, where interview excerpts are transformed into song lyrics.