Musician Rushnaf Wadud, who on Monday died in his forties, left an aching silence in the lives of many of us.
With his death, I lost someone who meant more to me than words can easily express.
He was a mastermind behind the radio, a brilliant musician, a brother, and one of the warmest human beings I have ever known.
Rushnaf, known to many of us by his nickname Azhore, was a polymath. He was a singer, songwriter, composer, broadcaster, and an endless fountain of knowledge. But to me, he was simply the older brother figure who always had time for us, always had a smile on his face, and always knew how to light up a room with his wit.
It is hard to overstate how ahead of his time Rushnaf was. He was the mastermind who got Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM off the ground, helping build something fresh and vibrant for an entire generation of listeners. He was also the pioneer behind what was likely Bangladesh’s very first late-night football radio show - creating a late-night refuge where sport, music, and late-hour banter came together.
As a musician, he was a founding member, lyricist, composer, and vocalist of Blunderware who brought a raw, poetic soul to the indie music scene. For me, it was his writing and his sheer command of language that set him apart. Studying in India for his school, college and university days meant he had great mastery over multiple languages. The way he articulated things- whether in a lyric, an article, or a casual conversation - was extraordinary. He had a deep, profound love for classical music too, possessing a rich knowledge of the art form that went far beyond what most people ever realized.
That artistic conviction wasn’t just about making music; it was about bravery. During the intense height of the July Uprising in 2024, when censorship, crackdowns, and internet blackouts made everything uncertain, Blunderware put out a new title. Releasing a song on July 26th was a remarkably bold move. At that moment, the protests were balanced on a razor’s edge and could have gone either way. Taking a stand through art at a time when the personal stakes were so high showed exactly who Blunderware, and by extension Rushnaf, was: a man guided by principle, integrity, and an unshakeable belief in doing what was right.
Growing up, Rushnaf came into my life at a very crucial juncture. We were neighbors in Hillview Housing Society in Chittagong, and he was my private tutor when I was in Year 8.
Those tutoring sessions were never just about homework. With Rushnaf, every lesson turned into a fascinating journey. We spent hours talking about world history, geography, and politics. He had a vast array of knowledge on virtually any topic you could throw at him, and he loved sharing it. He showed me how to look at the world, how to think critically, and how to stay curious.
When we weren't studying, we were playing football at Chittagong Medical College's basketball court. We did this even after he had stopped being my private tutor. He’d always be there with that signature smile, casually chirping at us, making us laugh between plays. He had an excellent left foot too and liked playing on the wing. He was so good to us younger kids, never treating us like an afterthought. As a child it felt great to be treated by an adult as an equal.
He was ridiculously, endlessly biased toward Arsenal FC. Honestly, his love for the Gunners was downright annoying to all of us, but we loved him for it anyway. Football banter with him was an absolute minefield, but it was always pure joy. I am glad he got to see Arsenal win another title this year - I had spent two decades mocking him about their failure!
Even with his fierce football loyalties, Rushnaf had an "open arms" stance toward life. He was drawn to anything good. If something was authentic, he appreciated it fully.
He was a huge Harry Potter fan, holding onto that sense of wonder throughout his life. He was also immensely proud of where he went to school—having spent his formative years schooling in India before attending Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi for university. He carried those memories and that pride with him wherever he went. The boarding school years also made him find even more joy in Harry Potter.
I will miss his razor-sharp mind, his endless football debates, his witty comments on my facebook posts about my travels and the way he could make a 14-year-old feel like an adult.
Rushnaf may or may not have shaped the culture around him, but he definitely shaped the people around him.
Adieu, Azhore Bhai. Thank you for the wisdom, and every single smile. You will not be forgotten.
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Raiiq Ridwan is an UK-based doctor and traveller.