Songs of the soul

Source: Bengal Foundation

The artistes with Kamal Lohani (C).

Noted singers Chandana Majumdar and Kiran Chandra Roy's two latest albums were launched on January 15 at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi in the capital. Chandana Majumdar recorded 10 folk songs, originally composed by Baul Shah Abdul Karim, in her album “Boshanto Batashe” while Kiran Chandra Roy lent his voice to 10 Fakir Lalon Shai songs in his album “Kon Kaal-e Tor Hobe Dishe”. Produced by Bengal Foundation, instrumental music direction for the album duo was done by noted Indian musician Amit Bandopadhyay.  
Director General of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Choudhury delivered the welcome address prior to the formal launching of the albums. Veteran journalist and cultural personality Kamal Lohani as chief guest unveiled the albums. Following the launch, Kamal Lohani said, “The musical legacy of Fakir Lalon Shai and Baul Shah Abdul Karim has crossed across borders. Both the bards had their respective fond memories with rivers -- Garai, Padma and Kalni – by which they were greatly influenced. Pandit Ram Kanai Das termed Chandana Majumdar as a Kokilkonthi while Kiran Chandra Roy sings while dancing along and makes us dance too. I am really delighted to be present here and expressing our sincere gratitude to Bengal Foundation for releasing the albums.” It is worth mentioning that Bengal Foundation released 13 audio albums in 2013.    
The tracks of the album “Boshonto Batashe” include, “Amar Bondhurey Koi Pabo”, “Ami Kulhara Kolongkini”, “Ami Kemone Rakhibo Tor Mon”, “Dorodia Rey Bondhu” and more. “Kon Kaal-e Tor Hobe Dishe” features songs including “Janli Na Mon Kothaye Se”, “Amar Ghar Khanaye Ke Biraj Kore”, “Bishoy Bishe Chanchala Mon”, “Ke Tomarey E Besh Bhushan” and more.
The artiste duo performed songs from the featured albums at the event. Chandana Majumdar first took the stage and set off the soiree with presenting the song “Amar Bondhurey Koi Pabo”. The singer's sonorous voice coupled with dhol artiste Dasarath Das' pulsating beats evoked the essence of Bangladeshi folk as she rendered the songs “Ekhon Bhabile Ki Hobe” and “Boshonto Batashe”. Keyboard artiste Iftekhar Hossain Shohel's playing of Kirttan tune amid performance of the song “Koolmaan Sho(n)pilam Tomare” augmented the beauty of the presentation.  
Kiran Chandra Roy started off his part with performing the title song of his album. Roy also interpreted the backdrop of Lalon Shai's composition of several songs “Ore Kopaler Naam” and “Bishoy Bishe Chanchala Mon” that the bard took inspiration from the bibek characters of traditional jatrapala. The artiste superbly rendered two other songs “Monrey Bojhaite Amar and “Aha Mori Mori Rey” from his album.
Other instrumentalists who accompanied the artiste duo at the event were flautist Md. Moniruzzaman, Dipak Kumar Das on tabla and Nirmal Kumar Das on dotara.