Songs of a different feel
Kolkata offered some extremely popular songs in the 50s and 60s though they were neither romantic nor sad. Those songs talked about flowers, cuckoos, river, lazy noon, shining moon, six seasons, life, human suffering, discrimination, poverty, hunger, nature in turmoil and so on. Take for example, “Kono ek gayer bodhur kotha tomai shonai shono rupakatha noishe noi…” or “Runner chhutechhe khoborer bojha haatey….” , two songs having the character of a ballad as they impart some tales. Or think of, “Duronto ghurnir, ei legechhe paak, ei duniya ghurey bon, bon, bon, bon ….”. These songs do not talk about typical love and romance blossoming in the hearts of young men and women. And yet people loved to listen to these songs for their special appeal. Every house where there was a gramophone, these records invariably were there on the shelf.
Then again we heard, “Shanto noditi, potey aka chhobiti, ektu haowa nai, jol je aina tai…” or “Chhele belar golpo shonar dingulu ekhon koto durey…” from Hemanta.
Hemanta's younger brother Amal Mukherji also sang some songs of a different feel, such as, “Boshek ashe boshek jai, Joshthi ashe joshthi jai…” and “Chup chup lokkhiti shunbe Jodi golpoti…”, both becoming very popular in the mid 60s.
Tarun Bannerji captivated audience with his fast track song, “Kanak chapa dhan, aha chompaboron dhan, tomar torey ektarate bedhe nilem gaan…”. Pannalal Bhattacharya sang this beautiful number, “Ashar khela ei jiboney onek bhange gorey…” to contemplate the meaning of life where hope remains an ephemeral illusion.
The female singers of the time also gave us many memorable songs full of melody and rhyme. We heard in the perfectly controlled voice of Alpana Bannerji, “Hattimatim tim tara mathey parey dim, tader khara duto shing…”, “Chhotto pakhi chandana…” and “Moinar ma moinamoti moina tomar koi…”.
Shondhaya Mukherji sang for us, “E gaane projapoti pakhai pakhai rong chhorai…” and “Aay brishti jhepe dhan dibo mepey…”. Protima Bannarji sang with her inimitable voice, “Konkabotir kakon bajey ichhamotir kuley….” and “Ami mela theke ek talpatari bashi kiney enechhi…”. Not romantic yet very popular songs.
Perhaps it is Bhupen Hazarika who offered a number of songs that told tales of human suffering, emotion and bonding as they happened in real life. Soon after the creation of Bangladesh, we came to hear some of his unique songs and in no time a large group of fans emerged in this part of Bengal.
Who can ever forget his songs like, “Bistirna duparer oshonkho manusher hahakar shuney, nisshobde nirobey o Ganga tumi boichho keno…” or “Ganga amar ma,Padma amar ma, o amar dui chokhe dui joler dhara Meghna Jamuna…”. His songs, “Manush manusher jonno…” and “Ami ek jajabar…” also became very popular here. The lines, “Ami dekhechhi onek gogon chumbi ottalikar shari, tar chhayate dekechhi onek grihahin nara nari…” from the song Ami ek jajabar will reverberate in our minds for many more years. His unique voice, singing style, the fusion of Assamese and Bangla folk tune all combined in harmony to create these unforgettable songs.
Many, many years ago Manna Dey sang the soulful song, “Shey amar chhoto bon, boro adorer chhoto bon…” to make our eyes misty. But his song, “Coffee houser shei addata aj ar nei, kothai hariey gelo shonali bikelgulo shei…” possibly beat all records of popular Bangla songs of all time. The moving lyrics and the easy yet poignant tune found perfect pitch and passion in Manna Dey's voice. Apparently it seems like an easy-to-sing tune but many aspirants would find it very difficult to emulate Manna Dey. The song was created for him and for him only.
It's a pity Kolkata does not produce songs like those of the yesteryears anymore. The great recording studios now wear the looks of a ghost town. The tabla, the harmonium, the violin, the tanpura, the esraj, the piano, all are collecting dust in the silent recording rooms. The stalwarts have left the stage one by one. Perhaps they are now consorting with the angels in the heaven on the stage lit by stars.
The writer is Special Supplements Editor,
The Daily Star
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