It’s the month of love and love songs. Asha Audio has released the song Bheja bheja swapno Gulo, sung by Mekhla Dasgupta, and it has been composed and written by Sreeraj Mitra. The number, which deals with unrequited love, comes with a music video directed by Samir Jamess and it features actors Tuin Chakraborty and Palash Ganguly.

Mekhla on the new single:

How were you approached for the project?

I was on vacation when I got a call from Apeksha (Lahiri). She gave me details about the song and how Sreerajda is composing it. I heard the tune and really liked it. We finished recording it in an hour.

What was the brief for the scratch?

I was told it was going to be a love song. But I had more clarity when I headed over to the studio and sat down with Sreerajda, read the lyrics and I could grasp what he exactly wanted. I really liked the song when I heard it and I perceived the concept of unrequited love. Two people might differ in their opinions and the way they perceive a song, so it mostly worked out at the studio. Sreerajda guided me through the journey.

How was the experience?

It was an easy-breezy experience. It has a simple tune and a lot of people can cover it and sing it. It has an old-world charm and I think it’ll please people across generations.

Do you relate to the song?

(Giggles) Maybe back in my childhood, when I had one-sided crushes. Sometimes we need to imagine ourselves in a situation while singing a song and we might not have to face it.

What else are you working on?

I love having my own compositions. I’m planning to drop some. I have been inspired by Western musicians. Creating an album or an original composition contributes towards building your identity as an artiste. I think if musicians work on it, music will experience a boom. I like playback singing too, but I’m looking forward to my own album. There are some live gigs in the pipeline as well.

What do you want to explore about playback singing?

I want to sing all kinds of songs. Mon kyamoner jonmodin was supposed to be a part of my album, but Ranajoyda (Bhattacharya) liked it and it became a part of Hridpindo and I’ve replaced it with another song. It has soft music, sung melodiously. Again, the songs in Deep Fridge belong to a different genre and have been sung differently and lots of people could not recognise that it’s my voice. I want to compose for films and sing. I want to explore more — contemporary, western to other genres.

Left - Right: Lyricist Composer, Sreeraj Mitra; Music Arranger, Rocket Mondal, Apeksha Lahiri, Director, Asha Audio & singer Mekhla Dasgupta at the recording of Bheja Bheja Swapnagulo, a romantic singles on unrequited love and reminiscence, at Om Studios. The Telegraph

Sreeraj on his composition:

How did you come up with the song?

Most of my songs reflect various moods and moments, which I have experienced or are relatable to people. In a way, you can say that Bheja bheja swapno gulo is a slice-of-life number. This song is about unrequited love. While penning down the lyrics, I automatically started humming the lines. I approached Apeksha Lahiri (director) of Asha Audio, the label I have been associated with since the beginning. Mekhla Dasgupta was her suggestion and everything fell into place. Mekhla has sung it beautifully and has done justice to the song. She came well-prepared and the recording happened smoothly at Om Studios.

How is the music befitting the era?

The composition is purely melody-based. Veteran musician and composer Rocket Mondal arranged the song and we worked in tandem to create a melody which has an old-world romantic charm. The use of the guitar and the violin works as a mood-elevator.

What inspired your lyrics?

There are innumerable people across the globe who have fallen in love with another person, but in silence; never dared to propose or for whatever reason could not profess it. This song is for those people, reminiscing their one-sided love this Valentine’s month.

How was the experience of composing?

I had only been a lyricist before this project, but I enjoyed a sense of freedom while composing it. Sitting and discussing the music pattern, conveying emotions, explaining nuances... it was an invigorating experience for me.