Music

From rebellion to melody, Salil Chowdhury’s timeless music unites hearts across generations, languages, and cultures

Maybe it’s because of the traditional mindset about music that most Bengalis still don’t know Rupa Biswas. Many couldn’t imagine

Iasonas Psarakis is a Greek-born composer, musician, and filmmaker, specializing in North Indian classical music and global music traditions. He

The leaders of pre-independent India showed how secular politics should be practiced. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose replaced ‘Vande Mataram’ to avoid religious biases, keeping

On many an afternoon when Bengal’s very own storm, the Kalbaishakhi strikes, one might feel like singing that famous Salil Chowdhury number,

Je raate mor duarguli bhanglo jhorey… Only Debabrata Biswas could bring out the pain and the spirituality of this song

There are singers, great singers and then there is Kishore Kumar, God’s gift to mankind. An unschooled singer who had no

Ifirst fell in love with R.D. Burman’s songs and music when I was in school. Little did I know then

The bitterness rippling out of the Partition of 1947 has remained for ages. The destructive agenda of Partition continued to

Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, the god-gifted singer who emerged as the pride of the entire nation, was not just another musician but

Nasal voice, faulty pronunciation, not fit to be recorded….that’s how S.D. Burman, the prince musician from Tripura’s famous Bengali clan

Debdutta Gupta & Partha Dasgupta In the myriad world of classical music, Bishnupur Gharana has since long made its presence felt

It was a summer evening in 1955 and three youths -- a Bengali, a Frenchman, and an Englishman -- were

For all those who are die-hard fans of Rabindrasangeet of any genre, must have heard often the melancholic or upbeat

Rabindrasangeet has a universal appeal and is not an exclusive domain for Bengalis. Tagore’s   compositions have reached all corners

If you have read the book ‘SD Burman: The World of His Music’ by Khagesh Dev Burman, you will come

Every time our mothers or grandmothers sat with their harmoniums to sing, one name often popped up, carved intricately on

Percussionist Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead had once said, “A good groove releases adrenaline in your body. You feel uplifted,

India’s first disc had Gauhar Jaan, singing a khayal in Raag  Jogiya, recorded on 2 November 1902, by Fred Gaisberg, an assistant to

Iwould like to reflect a bit on the letters that my father wrote. Other than innumerable folk songs he composed,

Bengal has always had a rich legacy of musical forms since ancient times but one classical form introduced in Bengal had

The year was 1947, with India about to take its place in the world as an independent nation. As freedom

In 1984, New York Times had hit a headline about a Baul from Bengal. It carried an article describing famous

For those who cherish the nostalgia of long-playing records from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, a hidden gem on Mirza

Picture this: the late Dr M. Balamuralikrishna, one of the greatest exponents of Carnatic music in history, in front of

Music appreciation can happen anywhere, from lively concerts to impromptu performances in cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, and even on the

Grammy and Kolkata! The musical Bengalis do have something to be proud of and that too coming from a bunch of

Padma Bhushan Ratan Kahar, aka 'Pagla Sursadhak', Birbhum, West Bengal He is often called the ‘Pagla Sursadhak’ (mad musician) by the

Carlton Kitto, a bebop jazz enthusiast in India Though the world outside Bengal gleefully relates Kolkata only with Rabindrasangeet, music in

Vivek Kumar, Principal Secretary, Forests & Animal Resources Development West Bengal Sparsho jaane ondho chokh… (even the sightless eye knows touch).

Legendary singer Sandhya Mukherjee About a decade ago, I was coordinating a music video project involving 100 icons of Bengal. Naturally,

Akaash jokhon chokshu bojey Ondhokarer shokey Tokhon jemon shobai khojey Suchitra Mitra-ke, Temon abaar katley andhaar Surya uthley pher Amra shobai khoj kori kaar ? Suchitra Mitra-er. Tari

Toto driver Arup Das, an aspiring singer Ancient Greek philosopher Plato saw the power of music in its ability to imitate

Calcutta, 1962. One of the city’s premier fine dining restaurants, popular for its live Western music, decided to go with

The Central African Republic is the focal point of the Bangui Magnetic Anomaly, one of the largest and most intense

Music has its own language. Every community has different languages they speak or sing that depict their lives and make

Nikhilesh, Moidul, D’souza, Rama Ray, Amal, Sujata. For close to four decades, these names have been an integral part of

Living Waters Museum! Does that sound contradictory and weird? But it exists and the Kolkata chapter has been opened by

Ananda Samarakoon, the man of Sri Lanka who voluntarily embraced death wrote a song that is today’s National Anthem of

As a toddler when Rahul Dev Burman cried, his parents, Sachin Dev Burman and Meera Burman got reminded of the

Indian classical music tradition has always been a respected and the most splendid work of art. The hymns, rhythms, melody,

There are many who know that Vivek Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Forests & Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal,

Two saree-clad women playing saxophones in a village is not something one gets to see often and that’s probably the

In February this year, Penguin Random House released Queen of Pop: The Autobiography of Usha Uthup by Srishti Jha (originally

GB celebrates the man and his music and brings the nostalgia of lost beats. Though many Bengali bands have made

To most Bengalis, Debabrata Biswas’ style of singing Rabindrasangeet is a class apart. Be it Je raat mor or Tomar

GB celebrates the man and his music and brings the nostalgia of lost beats. Though many Bengali bands have made

Denis Stern’s music is a confluence of many global cultures and is influenced by the musician’s international travel through Russia,

Image Courtesy : Facebook - Nirmala Mishra - FanPage Emon Ekti Jhinuk Khunje Pelam Na… That mellifluous rendition of a

Not many in West Bengal, forget the rest of India, are aware of Kumudini Homes Higher Secondary School, spread across

‘Sottyo Seleucus! Ki bichitro ei desh (truly Seleucus, what a strange land this is)!’ This line has become all but

Music is a language that transcends all boundaries. Uttarpara girl Nabanita Ghosh, an alumnus of Serampore College and Rabindra Bharati

BIf the Rhododendron blooms of Shillong had swayed a romantic Amit Ray, it was a prized piano that had the

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to Hey, Mr.

Do you remember that famous Mrinal Sen movie Neel Akasher Neechey (1959), based on the travails of a Chinese street

Representative  Image The British were frightened of a song writer? Well yes, they were and Gambhira lyricist/composer, Sheikh Safiur Rahman or

Rarely do Bengalis give up their Sunday after-lunch siesta and come in hordes to be witness to a wonderful afternoon

OIt was a sweaty, sultry morning in Kolkata, a little over a decade ago. Really early morning, almost the crack

Snehashish Chatterjee is a strange man. A man who has dedicated most of his life to creating a wonderful musical

A small Saraswati Puja pandal in a south Kolkata neighbourhood. Sunday morning has begun with the nth rendition of Chikni Chameli

Amarendra Roy Chowdhury. Name ring a bell? What about Badal Roy? Still no? Well, the New York Times calls him

2021 marks the birth centenary of ‘Sangeetacharya’ Subinoy Roy, a teacher par excellence whose melodious performance and extraordinary skills as

Legendary singer Arati Mukherjee hails from the golden era of Bengali music, a genre that will always remain ensconced in

There are many who know that Vivek Kumar, additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, is a gifted

Since long, flutes were just stout musical instruments used as accompaniment for folk music. But then came one Bengali musician

Rock culture is not new to India. When the world was listening to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Simon

A scene that was so familiar every year infront of Sealdah station even a few years back --- Dhakis in

With Durga Puja imminent, and the music of the dhaak beginning to play in our hearts, most of us think

In the myriad world of classical music, Bishnupur Gharana has since long made its presence felt and left an unforgettable

Benjamin Franklin once said: ‘Out of adversity comes opportunity.’ Likewise, the recent pandemic has opened new avenues as the world

When it comes to authorship, folk songs can be hard to pin down. Many of our most popular folk songs

Tujhse naraaz nahin Zindagi… that heartwarming music of yesteryears floating through some non-descript local para of Kolkata. From the strings

"It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right

OWhen was India’s National Anthem first sung in British India? Rabindranath Tagore’s poem/song “Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka” was sung publicly

On May 10, 1902, The Gramophone and Typewriter Limited, Germany, established their office at 8/02 Dalhousie Square, Calcutta. Their recording

The word ‘kirtan’ may conjure up different kinds of music for people from different parts of India. For most Bengalis,

<pRabishankar r Ali Akbar shune bhalo lage bhore kuashay ghore phirte</p One of the reasons why I liked the legendary song

Even if Gramophone is said to have been first patented in 1887 by Emile Berliner and mass-production of records started,

‘Music knows no boundaries’ and what could be more apt when describing playback singer, musician and composer Robin Ghosh who

Joy Nitai… a call that everyone uses to greet the other in villages like Ketugram in Burdwan. For these are

Bengal has always been the land of music and musicians. But one instrument that has hardly been much talked about

With new film releases postponed, live performances and social events cancelled, and recordings stalled, India’s entertainment industry has been hit

Rahul Sen is the editor of Bibhab Magazine. A reading enthusiast. Collector of old songs, recordings and literary works. On December

A baul singing to his freedom with an Ektara, through the lush green meadows of Bengal is a common sight

DEBDUTTA GUPTA & PARTHA DASGUPTA In addition to Bankura district,Bishnupur Gharana music was practiced in Murshidabad too. In 1905, Maharaja Manindra

A middle-aged man walking absent-mindedly on the road. His leaky pen has already created a graffiti on his shirt pocket,

A global musical phenomenon is ringing through the corridors of a well-known Kolkata school. The Music Department of Don Bosco

“Welcome the Berliner Philharmoniker into your home – on your TV, computer, tablet or smartphone. Live or on-demand from our

In his poem Suchetana, Jibanananda Das has written: ‘In the hands of tired yet tireless sailors like us/ we shall

In 2013, Mohan Singh Khangura said in an interview, these days an artiste gets his/her due recognition only after his/her

If we talk of fusion music today, Sourindro Mohun Tagore spoke of hybrid musical instruments long back in the 19th

The singing style (gayaki) of both Santidev Ghosh and Sailajaranjan Majumdar was similar to Dinu-Da’s (Rabindranath Thakur’s nephew, Dinendranath Thakur)

Mohan Singh’s style of rendering Rabindrasangeet is often brought under the microscope and dissected by his detractors, who accuse him

Chandmoni Hembrom, a teenage music prodigy from Hooghly’s Itachuna village has taken cybercitizens across the country by storm. The sensational

Oi aasontaler maatir pare lutiye rabo/ Tomar charon dhulay dhulay dhusaro habo/ Keno aamay maan diye aar dure raakho?/Chirojanom emon

Mohan Singh often reminisces his favourite Mohar-Di  (Kanika Bandopadhyay). He relates one particular incident when Mohar-Di  was asked to cook

Sumanth Maroju, 21 and Sonali Majumder, 15, the remarkable salsa dancers who recently mesmerized judges and the audience far away

Suchismita left for her heavenly abode years ago. It was she who taught him Bengali and discovered the various facets

“I have a loyal band of listeners who like my classical vocal but they are mostly elderly people and they

Singer Mohan Singh has always chosen difficult songs. Was it that the audience too found them difficult to comprehend and

Bengalis love to listen to Mohan Sigh’s rendition of Rabindrasangeet. Surprisingly, he gave up his surname Khangura and most Bengalis

Santiniketan’s Dinendranath Tagore, or Dinu da knew the perfect way of singing Rabindranath Tagore’s songs and had a deep impact

Bikram Singh Khangura was a dreamer and a poet. Kanika Bandopadhyay often called him ‘Kobi,’ as he loved penning down

Mohan Singh’s son Bikram was a nature lover. Often, he spent his time cycling through the Sonajhuri forests of Santiniketan,

For the rural community of Bengal, who are primarily less affected by COVID-19, awareness building programme against this deadly virus

‘I listen only to Manna Dey’s songs….’ That’s what legendary singer Mohammed Rafi once told his fans. Indeed, Manna Dey

Mohan Singh always believed Rabindrasangeet should have the inner soul expressed in its rendition. For him the tune and the

Mohan Singh was not just a singer, he was also a great musician and loved playing instruments while singing, including

The story of Mohan Singh’s wife, Suchismita, a Bangali was mentioned in an earlier episode. Mohan fell in love with

One late evening, Mohan Singh was sitting near the canal in Santiniketan with Tuku. Suddenly he saw two men walk

Mohan Singh Khangura’s journey to Santiniketan is intrinsically linked to his association with renowned cine and theatre actor, Balraj Sahni.

Exactly 30 years back in 1990, he was allowed and permitted to work closely with the legend on a rare

Mohan Singh studied and specialized in classical vocal music at Sangeet Bhavana, but he hardly sang Ranbindrasangeet. For him, Rabindrasangeet

Mohan Singh Khangura never wished to be stamped as a Punjabi or a Bengali. He feels most comfortable when he

Nemai Chand Boral was a man of few words. Sometimes he would casually ask Mohan Singh to drop in at

He is an icon amid the infinite ocean of music. Although born in a Punjabi family in a village near

Ek baar hori bolo mon rosona, arey manob dehai goirob koiro na, manob deha maatiro bhando, bhangile hoibe khondo re khondo.” (Say the name

‘E porobasheyrobe ke’ in Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Kanchenjunga? Picturised on actress Karuna Bandyopadhyay, many of us are not aware that

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) is set to showcase a German machine that was used to record the poetry

Imagine a quaint little music shop tucked in one corner of Rashbehari Avenue making world class musical instruments that served

Indubala, the mellifluous singer and performer, hailed from the infamous red-light alleys of Rambagan in North Calcutta. But that was

If you push the ‘past’ button on a Musical Time Machine, tracing Renaissance in Bengali songs, you will probably realize

When century-old terracotta temples come alive with the rhythms and rendition of classical maestros belting out the charm of Bengal’s

With Durga Puja imminent, and the music of the dhaak beginning to play in our hearts, most of us think

I met Bishnupada way back in 2009 in the middle of an Aila-ravaged Sunderbans. The super-cyclone had destroyed both lives

Here’s a chance for music buffs to create and share their own unique audio-visual sound-tracks of Kolkata, mixing music samples

Bengali is not his mother tongue, but he loves the language that happens to be one of the world’s sweetest

Did you know the New York Times in 1984 had dubbed Purna Das Baul as India’s Bob Dylan! Well, if

Famous Bengali singer Sabita Chowdhury is no more. She often fought with her husband, famous music composer, Salil Chowdhury, on

Play On! ‘All That Jazz’… and many more

Pather Panchali, the Apu-Durga masterpiece, was brought to life by Satyajit Ray. Though he had given the work of the

Indrajit Sen speaks to celebrated Music Director, Filmfare Award winner Prabuddha Banerjee on the background score of short-film Bhalobashar Shohor. 1.

•    What drew you to Bengal’s folk art and songs? Being a resident of Santiniketan, folk art comes naturally to me.

• How were you inspired to come to the singing frame? I was drawn towards music since childhood. Bryan Adams, Pink

It was a cold crisp December night in Boston and Shreya Ghoshal was the Artist in Residence at the Berklee

Only an artist has the capacity of enlightening a human heart even in times of despair. It has been 20

The Joideb Kenduli Mela, as it is called, is held every year on the last day of the Bengali month

• After how many years will you be performing in Kolkata? Every year since 2011, I am coming to Kolkata. I

Vande Mataram, the soulful song of India that has set many a heart down generations in praising the motherland. Unfortunately,

Who doesn’t know that Manna Dey was born on  1st May? And like every year, his birthday will be celebrated

With her other two hands, Devi Saraswati plays the music of love and life on a stringed instrument called the

• There was an era in Bengal Music, when songs had rich lyrics. Are lyrics still important? My world of songs

‘Bengali Aunty/Metronome’ famed Sawan Dutta speaks to Saheli Mitra on how she has created a sensation in the online music

Singer Rupankar Bagchi in an exclusive interview to GB speaks on his singing and acting career and his take on

Violin players are storytellers. It has been many years since the Violin Brothers of Kolkata have narrated stories of pain,

“Saap ludo khelche bidhatar shonge pagol” ..Ever thought about the power of a madman like this? Perhaps, only the Nagorik

‘Kaape kaape amar hiya kaape’.. I remember vividly the tune of my childhood days, the first song I heard of

This story dates back to the time when our very own bidrohi kobi, Nazrul Islam had taken up the responsibility

Today was a moment of pride for the whole of Bengal as India and Bangladesh cricket teams clash on English

‘I listen only to Manna Dey’s songs….’ That’s what legendary singer Mohammed Rafi once told his fans. Indeed, Manna Dey

2441139… Bela Bose… nostalgia.. the telephone no more rings in this age of smartphones. Rather we miss the black telephones,

‘Kaape kaape amar hiya kaape’.. I remember vividly the tune of my childhood days, the first song I heard of

Kumar Sanu is back with a soulful Pujo Album Kheyali Din. Exclusive GB interview with composer Kinjal Chatterjee, who has

She was not just a superb singer, but also a great human being. I am lucky to have her as

Here is a new musical instrument for all music lovers. It is called Taramandal and is a fusion of Dotara

Such evenings are rare. Star lit sky, a mild cool wintry breeze and performances from century old books Geetibithika and

She has not just mesmerised the audience with her soulful rendition just at the age of 9, but also won

• There was an era in Bengal Music, when songs had rich lyrics. Are lyrics still important? My world of songs

Koi Yahan.. Ahaa Nache Nache… the thumping number that swayed generations with Usha Uthup’s deep baritone ringing around and Bappi

From Shadher Lau banailo morey bairagi to Dama Dam Mast Qalandar, Runa Laila had since long rocked the Indian audience.

Composer, classical guitarist, improviser and ensemble leader Simon Thacker turns music into gold for the ears, and now, he has

They are back again, The Jellibellies, with their musical journey that started with a group of professionals for whom music

In an exclusive GB interview to author and poet Saheli Mitra, renowned singer Sahana Bajpaie speaks of her journey as