Swani Zubayeer's tribute to National Poet

Talented singer Swani Zubayeer's latest album “Keno Megher Chhaya” is going to be released at the end of this month. The accomplished musician has recorded ten familiar and lesser-known songs of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Zubayeer recently recorded the songs at Resonance studio in Kolkata, India. Bengal Foundation is producing the album.
Songs featured on the album are: “Chokher Neshar Bhalobasha”, “Sur-e O Banir Mala Diye”, “Jarey Haath Diye Mala Ditey Paro Nai”, “Uchaton Mon Ghorey Roina”, “Eto Jal O Kajol Chokhey”, “Jobey Tulsi Tolaye”, “Shokhi Shey Hori”, “Pia Pia Pia Papiya Pukarey”, “Keno Megher Chhaya” and “Sunyo E Buk-e Pakhi Mor Aye”.
Zubayeer has also done the music arrangement. Noted Indian instrumentalists -- Rawshan Ali (sarangi), Durbadal Chattapadhyay (violin), Rahul Chatterjee (sitar), Prattyush Banerjee (sarod) and Raja Chowdhury (bass guitar, rhythm guitar and mandolin) -- have provided the sangat. Sanjay Ghosh is the sound engineer.
“Kazi Nazrul Islam used to visit our family on regular intervals. My grandfather (maternal) poet Khan Mohammad Moinuddin was quite close to Nazrul. I have heard this from the late poet and literary critic Abdul Mannan Syed,” said Zubayeer.
“My fans and music enthusiasts will notice some improvisation and experimentation from my part in the renditions; I have kept the original tunes intact of course. The style is somewhat different from the conventional renditions. For example, the song 'Sur-e O Banir' is set on Raga Pilu; I have played with the raga, using violin and my vocals. I have used guitar in the song 'Sakhi Shey Hori Kemon Bol'. Music connoisseurs will find such elements of surprise and more in the album. And last but not the least, I have used coda in every song -- the essence of the song will linger on even after it has ended,” the musician said.
Swani Zubayeer is one of those few singers, who are unafraid to take risks and experiment with different styles and genres. The singer-composer grew up in an environment where he learnt to retain and respect our unique cultural identity in all its diversity and richness.