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Folk songs for the urban ears

16 January 2006, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Karim Waheed
16 January 2006, 18:00 PM
Kamal Chowdhury lends his voice to the album
Over the last few years, folk songs have made a major comeback in the mainstream audio market in our country, thanks to the increasing interest in the tunes of our roots among a new generation of musicians. Obviously, not all remade, rearranged or remixed folk songs have attained a particular standard but certain musicians have experimented with rural tunes and the music lovers have been blessed with newer versions of some folk classics. Bappa Mazumder is one such musician, whose version ofGari choley na...became a mega hit a few years ago. Bappa's most recent offering,Rahman Raheemis also an assortment of folk songs redone to satiate the urban taste.

The album includes eight songs and two instrumentals. Newcomer Kamal Chowdhury has lent his vocals to all the songs in the album. Bappa's quote regarding the singer: "His (Kamal's) raw, earthy vocal quality is immensely engaging -- almost like the fresh dew on Bangladeshi grass and soil and it had the power to drag my mind away from the 'civilisation' to the very roots of our identity."

The album starts off with a Radha Raman song, Bolo go bolo go shokhi konba desh-e jai. The song has all the qualities an "opening track" should have -- catchy and melodious. It's remarkable that these age-old songs never seem to lose their appeal.

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One notices that the singer has a Sylheti twang. However, that "twang" works in his favour; it makes the traditional Sylheti folks songs sound more authentic.

Hason Raja's classic, Agoon lagaiyya dilo bone has also been featured in the album. Bappa's skills as a composer become apparent in the song. The harmonising voices create the perfect ambiance and Kamal's voice resonates the zeal that makes Hason Raja's songs outstanding.

The club mix of Tai bujhi aaj buk bheshey jai, a ballad originally composed by Jalal, is another treat. The lyrics are unpretentious, yet heartening. One listens to the analogy between a 'melancholy lover deprived of love' and Shukna brikkhey kashtho jamon, pataa nai dal-e and gets mesmerised.

Kon mestori nao banailo, written and originally composed by noted folk musician Shah Abdul Karim (of Maya lagaisey fame) may sound like it emphasises on the philosophy of Dehotatwa to some, while some may feel it speaks of other aspects. And that's what makes this song special. However, the artiste sounded like he did not have absolute control over his vocals in places.

Kamal does justice to the title song, Rahman Raheem. Written and composed by Ameer Uddin, the devotional song speaks of eternal redemption and the bond between the 'Creator' and his 'creation'. An apt example: Koruna shaban-er gola rahmat-eri dariya-e, dhuiley jonjal hoy porishkar paaponko jai mitiya...

Some songs in the album may not be instant hits. These songs gradually grow on the listener, as one listens to them (the same can be said of some AR Rahman compositions). The album is a commendable effort by Bappa Mazumder to reintroduce some gems of Bangla folk songs.