Nurturing the legacy of Nazrul
Nazrul Sangeet artiste Dr. Pradip Kumar Nandi was baptised in music in his early childhood by his adoring grandmother Monohora Nandi. His parents -- Gopal Krishna Nandi and Kanon Bala Nandi -- and aunt Minu were constant in their encouragement of the young boy's musical talent.
After finishing his early lessons in Bhola, the artiste received formal lessons in classical music from noted gurus -- Samiran Barua, Karim Shahabuddin, Salahuddin Ahmed, Mongal Chandra Mandal, Kazi Rubina Ahmed Mili and Dr. Krishnapada Mandal.
Simultaneously he took lessons in Nazrul Sangeet from seasoned artistes and exponents -- Sudhin Das, Nilufar Yasmin, Khairul Anam Shakil, Khalid Hossain and Biman Mukhopadhyay (India).
“Though I didn't fully comprehend classical music very well, I had a penchant for the genre right from my early childhood. I was greatly attracted to Nazrul Sangeet with its classical base. That is how I learnt to savour the beauty of the musical realm of Kazi Nazrul Islam,” said Nandi.
Having completed I.Mus from Govt. Music College (GMC), Agargaon, Dhaka and B.Mus from National University, Nandi gained admission to the Department of Music, University of Dhaka, from where he did his M.Mus (Nazrul Sangeet) with distinction (first class first) in 2000. The artiste also completed a four-year certificate course in Nazrul Sangeet, securing first class first position, from Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). He was also a student of Chhayanaut.
On August 6 this year, Nandi completed his PhD from Rajshahi University (RU). Under the supervision of Dr. Krishnapada Mandal, Associate Professor, Department of Theatre and Music, RU, the subject of the artiste's PhD thesis is “Nazrul-er Gaan: Shurokar Proshongo”.
“My thesis is a discourse on composers other than Nazrul, who have set the National Poet's lyrics to tune. Kamol Dasgupta put several songs (166) to music, that is those not set to tune by Nazrul. Nitai Ghatak (48), Chitta Roy (43), Geerin Chakrobarty (29), Ranjit Roy (29), Subal Dasgupta (28), Shailesh Dattagupta (21) were among 56 composers who set to tune 517 of Nazrul's songs. Nazrul Islam himself approved of all the compositions,” pointed out Nandi.
“According to some sources, Nazrul composed 690 songs of his own. The songs composed by Nazrul are mainly based on ragas; but we seldom find the incorporation and use of any raga in those songs composed by others. To serve my academic objective, I travelled extensively in search of the poet's songs that haven't received much exposure,” added the artiste.
Currently Nandi is Assistant Professor and head of the Department of Music at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology. He is also a part-time teacher (Nazrul Sangeet) at GMC and BAFA.
Last year Laser Vision produced the artiste's solo Nazrul Sangeet album, titled “Mridubhashini” that featured 12 songs (“Shopon-e Eshechhilo Mridubhashini”, “Modhu Jamini Choley Jaye”, “Aaji Purno Shoshi”, among others). Daulatur Rahman has directed the music.
Under the banner of Hindustan Records, Kolkata, India, another album, titled “Ochena Shur-e Ojana Pothik”, featuring 10 Nazrul Sangeet (including “Ochena Shur-e Ojana Pothik”, “Payela Boley Rinijhini”, “Aankhipata Ghum-e Joraye Ashey” and “Joy Bromho Bidya Shib Saraswati”) is in the pipeline. Rahul Chattopadhyay will direct music for the album.
“My prime intent is to bring lesser known Nazrul songs into the limelight. I emphasise rendering the poet's songs with authentic tunes and lyrics,” asserted the artiste.
Merit Fair Prokashoni has published two books -- “Bangla Gaan O Nazrul Sangeet Proshongo” (2007) and “Chhotoder Nazrul” (2009) -- written by Nandi. Oboshor Prokashoni will publish his two books -- “Kazi Nazrul-er Sangeetikota” and “Nandan-tawtter Poribhasha” -- at the next Ekushey Book Fair.
Nandi is an enlisted singer (classical music and Nazrul Sangeet) at both BTV and Bangladesh Betar (radio). He is also a regular performer on several private TV channels of Bangladesh. The artiste bagged gold medals in classical music category participating in National Education Week in the years 1997 and 1998.
“My favourite singers are Pandit Ajay Chakrobarty and my guru, the late Nilufar Yasmin. Gorok Kalyan and Kalabati are my favourite ragas,” said the artiste.
Laser Vision Limited arranged a solo Nazrul Sangeet performance, featuring Nandi, yesterday at Chhayanaut auditorium, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. His teacher, Dr. Krishnapada Mandal, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Associate Professor and Chairman of the department of Music of Nazrul University, Dr. Rashidun Nabi, and noted Nazrul Sangeet artiste Yasmin Mushtari were present as special guests.
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