Organizers of online concerts often have to be reminded that curating forms is perhaps the most important aspect of a musical session. This is a point that is often ignored, as was somewhat evident in Apar Bangla Anandadhwani’s tribute to the late Subinoy Roy in a programme titled Kon Subhokhone. In a maze of live-versus-recorded sessions, a lot of inexplicable silences and waiting occurred, leaving audiences frustrated at times.

The show had its moment of spontaneity too on account of the interesting commentary kept up by Saswata Sanyal, who led this session from Canada, and the ever-dependable Satinath Mukherjee. Two of the best renditions of the session came from Anindya Narayan Biswas (“Sada thako anande”) and Prakriti Monolina (“Oder saathe melao”, picture, top). Biswas showed excellent mastery over the craft and paved the way for a befitting tribute to the late singer, who was an institution in himself. Monolina’s fresh and uninhibited style conveyed simplicity and took the song to dizzying heights, creating a reverie that did not ebb for a long time.

The late singer’s son, Suranjan Roy, is always a delight to listen to as one is reminded of the atypical style and diction. This session was no different. “Aaji eneche tahari ashirbaad” displayed that amply. One was also delighted to hear Pradip Dutta’s “Tomaye jotone rakhibo hey” in the Raga Des Khamaj — it was always a pleasure to listen to this song in Subinoy Roy’s voice. Dutta did well to render the song in his own style and yet make an impact.

Three of the senior singers — Debasish Roychoudhury (“Jage natho jochona”), Prabuddha Raha (“Emoni kore ghuribo durey bahirey”, picture, bottom) and Agnibha Banerjee (“Bohe nirontoro ananta anandodhara”) lived up to their name and expectations. Showing amazing mettle, they set an example for the generation following them about singing Rabindrasangeet the way it should be sung.