Over the past 13 years, musical duo Sourendro Mullick and Soumyojit Das, together known as Sourendro-Soumyojit, have enthralled Kolkata every year on June 21, celebrated as World Music Day. This year was no different, as they brought 17 illustrious musicians together on one stage at Netaji Indoor Stadium to create magic, in keeping with the theme, ‘Collab’
Photos: Amit PramanikThe duo welcomed the audience before the show. “In keeping with the spirit of collaboration, each piece will be a conversation between two artistes and their unique musical styles,” said Soumyojit
Soumyojit began the proceedings with a duet alongside Shweta Mohan, paying homage to the rain and the Earth. They sang an original composition by Sourendro-Soumyojit titled, Baarish, that was created a decade ago, but performed for the first time ever. “The rain gods heard our rehearsals and gifted us these showers,” smiled Shweta
The next performance featured an international collaboration between Lopamudra Mitra and Shayan Chowdhury Arnob. The two paid a fitting tribute to the rivers Ganga and Padma with Bhupen Hazarika’s song, ‘Ganga Amar Ma’. “We may be from two countries, but sing in the same language,” said Mitra. Arnob added, “Wars are plaguing the world, but this concert has shown how music will always unite.”
Carnatic music legend Aruna Sairam shared the stage with Mir Afsar Ali for a stirring juxtaposition of a verse from the ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ with Bhupendra Singh Khidia’s poem, ‘Naari Aao Bolo’. While one piece spoke of the Goddess’ resolve to empower women, the other questioned the status of women in contemporary society. “I bow to all the women in the universe and dedicate this evening to them,” said Sairam
Harsh Neotia presented an emotional tribute to Rashid Khan, a regular collaborator with Sourendro-Soumyojit in past World Music Day concerts. “His wisdom, humility and passion taught us more than we can ever imagine. Ustadji collaborated with the wind, stars, moon and thundering clouds,” Neotia said
“I had so many things to say, but seeing you all, my tongue is tied. This is the greatest show in the world, and you are the greatest audience," said Usha Uthup, as she stepped on stage to thunderous applause, with Rajasthani folk singer, Mame Khan. While Uthup sang ‘When You Look At Me’, a Sourendro-Soumyojit original written by Ahona Pal Choudhuri, Khan presented his rendition of the timeless ghazal, ‘Chhaap Tilak Sab Chheeni’.
(L-R) Leslee Lewis and Anindya Chatterjee paid homage to the friendships that make life worth living, with a medley of ‘Yaaron’ (which Lewis composed for KK) and Chandrabindoo’s ‘Bandhu Tomaye’. “Ever since we performed at St. Xavier’s College in 1996, Kolkata has been rocking!” smiled Lewis
Papon and Rekha Bhardwaj brought alive the legendary romance between Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi with original music inspired from their songs, ‘Mai Tenu Phir Milangi’ and ‘Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein’. “Every year, Sourendro and Soumyojit make us do things we never dreamt of. I’m so honoured to pay tribute to Amrita Pritam, whom I have grown up reading,” said Bhardwaj, as she swayed to the music
Romance made way for spirituality, as Vishal Bhardwaj and Shubha Mudgal personified a conversation between two great philosophers. While Bhardwaj sang Kabir’s ‘Tera Sai Tujhme Hai’, Mudgal brought alive Lalon’s ‘Sob Loke Koy Lalon Ki Jaat Songsare’. “Aaj mera khwab pura hua hai, jo mujhe Shubha Mudgal ji ke saath gaane ka mauka mila, woh bhi sangeet ki rajdhani Kolkata mein, (“Today, my wish of singing with Shubha ji came true, that too, in the capital of music — Kolkata”), beamed Bhardwaj
In his first performance after his Grammy win, Shankar Mahadevan enthralled audiences with his tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam on his 125th birth year, with not one, but two of his pieces. “I feel honoured to celebrate not just a romantic poet, but also a revolutionary,” he said, before singing ‘Durgam Giri Kantar Moru’ and ‘Shunyo E Buke Pakhi Mor’
Soumyojit returned on stage to sing Raag Bhairavi opposite sarod maestro and Padma Vibhushan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. “My life began in Bengal, and most of my concerts have happened here. Music is truly god’s gift and it connects the world,” said Khan
As per tradition, Sourendro-Soumyojit saved the best for the last. Every artiste shared the stage to celebrate Mohammad Rafi’s birth centenary with the fitting, ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’, as 10,000 people switched on their flashlights. “We thank every single one of you for inspiring us and making this possible. This is for Kolkata,” signed off Sourendro