Held on September 4 at Rabindra Sadan, SB Park presents Sangitanjali, in association with The Telegraph, was an evening devoted to songs of Rabindranath Tagore and celebrated the onset of the festive season.
Rabindrasangeet exponent Adity Mohsin of Bangladesh, who was the first to take the stage, enthralled the audience with her selection of songs from the ‘prem parjaay’ from the Bard’s musical oeuvre. Known for the traditional purity and grace of her sstyle of singing, her presentation included Shedin dujone dulechhinu boney, Je chhilo amar swopon charini and Ogo amar chiro achena porodeshi (dedicated by Tagore to Argentine author Victoria Ocampo).
Singer-songwriter Anweshaa captivated the audience with renditions of popular, evergreen Tagore numbers like Chander hashi bandh bhengechhe, Chokhye amar trishna and Amaro porano jaha chaay. She also performed a contemporary Bengali song as tribute to legendary singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay.
The popular pianist-vocalist duo of Sourendro-Soumyojit also performed Tagore’s compositions in their distinctive fusion style. Inspired by world music, their songs bore traces of diverse influences, from devotional and inspirational (Anandaloke mongolaloke) to the revolutionary (Kharabayu boy bege). Their free-flowing, innovative style of presentation underlined the universality and timelessness of Tagore’s appeal.
“This was our first attempt at organising a cultural programme and we are very grateful for all the support we received. We are pleasantly surprised to know that the people of this city are fond of listening to Rabindrasangeet even today,” said Sanjoy Majumdar, an organiser.
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“Rabindrasangeet is like a passion for us and the fusion we create is never planned. It develops an identity of its own as we record it. Though the form and expressions of Rabindrasangeet are modern and international, its melodies explain the ethos of the East. That is why Tagore’s music flows like a river across cultures and resonates among the youth even today,” said Sourendro Mullick.
“Pujo is coming and it’s a time for happiness, laughter and getting together with family and friends. That is why I selected songs celebrating love and romance for today’s performance,” said Adity Mohsin.
“Blending the old with the new, the East with the West is Tagore’s own mantra. His own lyrics and compositions have taken us to the music of other composers, whether it be a Western symphony or a classical raga. Yet in spite of the fusion, our music reflects Indian philosophy,” said Soumyojit Das, vocalist.
Pictures: Koushik Saha
