A tramcar full of musicians and music lovers. A performance in progress. On wheels. If any of you caught a glimpse of the unique ride on the city streets on, Monday, August 7, you would know that it was Bengali band Dohar marking its 24th anniversary celebrations in a unique way to step into its 25th year.
The pitch of their songs was often subdued by the rattling rhythm of the tramcar and surrounding traffic but there was no slip-up in Dohar’s rhythm.
The Tram connection
Despite the rainy weather on Monday, more than 60 fans gathered at the Gariahat tram depot in south Kolkata around 3.30pm. The tram left the depot around 4.15pm with both compartments filled to the brim. Rajib Das, the founding member of Dohar began the musical journey by explaining the reason behind this initiative. “Dohar started its journey in 1999 and we have come a long way since then. During our initial days in 2002, we released our second album, Banglar Gaan Shikotrer Taan, and that event took place on a tram. Along with other musicians, the album was released by late poet Shankha Ghosh,” said Das.
A colourful post announces the unique ride
By then, the decorated tram reached Park Circus and slowly headed towards Esplanade. “The music started around that time. The band delivered their hit songs such as Age ki Sundor Din Kataitam and Kunja Sajao Re one after another. Along with that, a number of Salil Chowdhury songs and Rabindrasangeet were presented to set the mood. On such a rainy evening, we, Dohar fans didn’t want anything more,” said Saptarshi Roy Bardhan, a finance professional who has been associated with the band since 1999.
After a 10-minute break at Esplanade depot, the tram began is journey towards its final destination, Shyambazar. There was another reason of celebrating the day on a tram. Das said there were hardly two or three functional tram routes in Kolkata at present — Ballygunge to Tollygunge and Gariahat to Shyambazar via Esplanade. “Tram is a symbol of Kolkata. While it has completed its 150 years of services, the Kolkata tram is fighting for survival. Dohar, on the other hand, has always been working with songs and culture that is on the verge of extinction. So, both of our stories are very similar,” added Das.
“These kinds of events are always supported by the Kolkata tram. Not only because it goes with the image but also underlines the importance of this public mode of transport,” said a traffic police officer.
Dohar performs in front of the tram and their fans
Year-long celebrations
“With the music, the pitter-patter of the rain, the busy Monday traffic and pure Bengali adda took us to a different level,” Bardhan reminisced. The music went on and the audience also took part in the performance. Around 6 45pm, the tram reached Shyambazar and it was time to say goodbye. As the fans were getting ready to end the magical evening and bid farewell with heavy hearts, the band announced their year-long agenda.
According to the band members, August 7 marked the beginning of year-long celebrations. Next year, there will be a series of events by Dohar to celebrate their 25th anniversary. “At present, we can talk about only two things — workshops of folk culture and the final silver jubilee celebrations,” he added.
Next year, Dohar would organise a grand concert with all other musicians who have contributed to Dohar’s musical journey all these years. “Besides, there would be at least two workshops on folk culture at PC Chandra Gardens,” Das added. While there will be several other events, they are all in the planning phase.
Other musicians join Dohar members to put up a musical show to mark its anniversary celebrations