Hemanta Mukhopaddhay's 29th death anniversary today
Hemanta Mukhopaddhay was a phenomenon of his time. He had a baritone voice, much like Pankaj Mullick, another pioneer in Bangla film music. The enchantment that Hemanta had weaved during his legendary career lives on 29 years after his death on 26 September, 1989.
In the mid-forties, he joined Indian People's Theatre Association and became a comrade of Salil Chowdhury. The combination produced a renowned song about the 1943 Bengal famine - Kono Ek Gayer Bodhu. The song was written and composed by Salil Chowdhury. Hemanta sang the song, which told of a prosperous and happy village household devastated by a man-made famine, with all his heart.
Having moved to Bombay in the early fifties, he sang for Dev Anand, who was at his peak during the time. Anand was seen strumming a guitar in Jaal, singing Ye raat ye chandni phir kahan sun ja dil ki dastaan to Hemanta's voice. The song was composed by maestro S D Burman.
In 1955, Uttam-Suchitra starrer Shapmochan was a musical hit. Hemanta composed the music and sang for the film. Jhor uthechhe baul batash ajike holo saathi and Shono bondhu shono were super hits.
It was Nagin that brought Hemanta the Best Music Director's award in 1954. Lata Mangeshkar sang Mere dil ye pukare aja mere gam ke sahare aja bheega bheega hai sama and Hemanta sang Tere dwar khara ye yogi in the film.
Every Bengali heart would flutter when Harano Sur (1957) wooed with the enchantment of Geeta Dutta's Tumi je amar ogo tumije amar. Hemanta composed the everlasting melody of the song.
Muche jawa din gulo amai pichu dake from Lukochuri will always be there at the top when discussing all-time great Bengali songs.
Should we not conclude with a Hemanta song where he sings with all the anguish in his heart because of the tearful toils of a marginalised common man - Neel akasher niche ai prithibi aar prithibir pore oi neel akash from the Mrinal Sen film Neel Akasher Niche?
The timeless melodies of Hemanta Mukhopaddhay will live on indefinitely amongst the hearts of Bangla music lovers all around the world.