Uttarayan offers “Phul-er Prem E Rabindranath”

Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

Marking their third anniversary, musical organisation “Uttarayan” staged a programme titled “Phul-er Prem E Rabindranath” at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National auditorium on World Music Day (June 21).
The event featured recitation and rendition of Tagore compositions, particularly those underlined by flowers and their fragrance. Artistes of Uttarayan together with elocutionist duo -- Bhashwar Bandopadhyay and Dalia Ahmed successively performed Tagore songs and poems.
According to Lily Islam, “Rabindranath had a strong affinity to nature and its changes in Bengal; he used references of some 68 flowers in all of his works. His idea of outdoor classes at Shantiniketan was also borne of his love of and proximity to nature. Uttarayan believes that this is one of the most distinctive elements of his works, and the programme was conceived to celebrate it.”
The troupe set off the event with an instrumental recital that seemed like a musical vision of the flowers getting drenched in monsoon. Noted Indian music director and violinist Durbadal Chattopadhyay directed music, accompanied by Rahul Chattapadhyay on sitar, Shubhayu Sen Majumdar on esraj, Gautam Shome on keyboard, Joydev Nandi on tabla and Sanjiban Acharya on percussion at the event. Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay recited a Sanskrit shlok (verse) replete with allusions of serenading nature.
Radhika's tryst on a drizzling night, the images of monsoon from Chandidas to Rabindranath, monsoon and the anguish of melancholic hearts, lovers' longing for a meeting on a monsoon night -- all the natural elements and feelings are reflected in Bengali literature. Music is in unison with Bengali literature. Monsoon, being Tagore's most favourite season; we find some exquisite floral imagery in his monsoon melodies. The performance of choral songs including “Mor Bhabnare”,“Esho Nip Bon-e”, “Amra Dur Akasher Neshaye metal”, “Ore Bokul Parul” depicted the image of monsoon.
The elocutionist duo mentioned almost all the flowers used in Tagore compositions; interestingly enough, the bard frequently used monsoon flowers including Kadom, Jui, Bely, Mallika, Cha(n)pa, Doloncha(n)pa, Ketoki and Malati in his compositions.
Despite Uttarayan's earnest efforts, a few solos and two choruses performed at the event fell flat, much to the disappointment of the audience. Other choruses performed at the event included “Tahare Arati Koro”, “Amar Sakol Kata Dhonno Korey Phutbe” and “Ei Toh Bhalo Legechhilo”.