It was a rainy Sunday morning which had begun with no signs of the misgivings it would bring. We got to know of Bapi-da’s passing from his wife Sutapa.
By the time we made our way to SSKM Hospital, some of us had managed to reach out to Bapida's bandmates of Mohin Ekhon O Bondhura. Within hours, the news had been shared on Facebook, and calls and texts messages began pouring in.
The dilemma that presented itself before us was where should we pay our final respects. We decided to gather at Worldview, Jadavpur University, and agreed on a 'Full Salute O Gaan Michhil'. That would be our tribute to Bapi-da, who sang for love and life.
Some people had reached JU ahead of time: students, members of youth associations and forums. Almost magically, Worldview got decked with flowers.
We began singing, and writing the lyrics on nearby walls. “Ekhono bhabe she phutbe polash, dakbe kokil, bichhnaye she phirbe pash.”
“The music must go on,” Mohin’s lead “ghora” Gautam ‘Moni-da’ Chattopadhyay used to say. We wrote that on the walls too, signing off with “Mohin Antaheen (Mohin forever)”.
More and more people trooped in, many with guitars. They strummed and we all sang along: Hai bhalobashi, Prithibita naki chhoto hote hote, Taake joto tarai dure, Kotha diya bondhu fira na aila.
By then, the ambulance with Bapi-da’s mortal remains had come in. Many held umbrellas to shield him from the rain. All of us offered flowers.
We sang songs of despair and hope. We danced. Curious bystanders asked us who he was. We told them. We walked till Sukanta Setu. At Garia crematorium, Bapi-da’s wife Sutapa kissed him on the forehead for one last time.
The last rites were done. But the memories will live on, just like the songs.
(Sourav Chattopadhyay studied English at Presidency University; Shivangi Singh is a student of History at Presidency University)