Album of Nazrul Sangeet, arranged by Arnob, in the offing

Clockwise (from top) artiste Samina Chowdhury, Arnob and Kiran Chandra Roy perform at the programme.

Luva Nahid Chowdhury, managing director of Bengal Foundation, termed the evening "an informal ashor". There was however, a raison d'être. Going over a proposed album of Nazrul Sangeet. The fresh approach would be a collection of Nazrul songs by artistes who have attained popularity in other genres with music arrangement by Arnob. Bengal Music will produce the album.
The programme at Bengal Shilpalay, held last Thursday evening, was attended by artistes, music enthusiasts and Rasheda K. Chowdhury, adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
The proposed album is the brainchild of noted Nazrul artiste Sadya Afreen Mallick. "I've been pondering over this project for a while. Unfortunately Nazrul Sangeet is becoming somewhat of a niche genre. It needs to reach out to a wider audience, in particular the young listeners if Nazrul Sangeet is to reach the heights of mass popularity it had attained in the past," she said.
"Bengal Foundation is an empathetic patron of the arts in our country and over the years it has produced some albums that have been much appreciated by music exponents and enthusiasts. When I introduced the idea to Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation, he eagerly listened and agreed. We felt the project needed innovative compositions and that Arnob could be the right person to helm this project," she added.
The album will feature a repertoire of both familiar and less familiar Nazrul Sangeet rendered by Subir Nandi, Kiran Chandra Roy, Shakila Zafar and Fahmida Nabi.
"Some of these artistes started their career with Nazrul Sangeet. For whatever reason, they have gradually moved away from the genre. However, the common interest here is a hunger to do something new, to be a part of a novel project," Mallick said.
Kiran Chandra Roy said, "I feel that Tagore and Nazrul artistes are sometimes possessive and intolerant of anyone from 'outside' the recognised circle of artistes of the two genres. As if the songs of Rabindranath and Nazrul are someone's personal property. Why shouldn't a folk artiste sing Rabindra Sangeet that follow the baul style, or Nazrul Sangeet that has the essence of bhatiyali?"
The artiste then presented renditions of Nazrul Sangeet, Rimjhim ghano deya baroshey and Shaon ashilo phirey that the audience raved about throughout the evening. Roy's mastery over the details, effortless gliding through the highs and lows and execution of the subtlest of the mudki made the renditions thoroughly enjoyable.
Roy also sang an S.D. Burman classic Biroho boro bhalo lagey.
Fahmida Nabi performed adhunik songs from her album Dupur-er Ekla Pakhi (produced by Bengal Foundation).
Arnob sang a Rabindra Sangeet Ami mar-er shagor pari debo. The musician said, "Growing up in Shantiniketan, I didn't have much exposure to Nazrul Sangeet. So I would like to spend sometime listening to as much of Nazrul's work as I can. If this evening is any indication of the tremendous breath of diversity Nazrul Sangeet has to offer, I've got my work cut out for me! I'm thoroughly excited by the project. I can't wait to get started."