A passion for Tagore songs

Dwelling on the Shanto-Mariam University, she says, "This university stands apart from the rest as there is no general subject here: all are specialised subjects like fashion designing, fine arts and performing arts. So, I have to concentrate on the cultural facets of the university."

The university, she says, celebrates the national and cultural days such as Pahela Baishakh, Language Martyrs' Day, Independence Day and Victory Day. Likewise, the orientation programmes are celebrated with much enthusiasm. "We have an advantage that we have a music faculty so we don't have to bring in artistes from outside. Our students perform songs on these programmes. We usually arrange a cultural show every two months," says Lily.

The university's musical faculty offers three subjects: Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and classical music. In order to give all the students an overall concept of music, they have to study all genres of music in the four-year honours course. Later in the master's programme, they specialise on a specific genre.

Going down memory lane, Lily recalls learning music at the age of five. Her mother used to train under Ashoktaru Bandyapadhyay, which inspired her to take music lessons from the same guru. She was admitted to Geetobitan, the first music school of Kolkata, when she was merely a child. Later, she went to Shantiniketan to take music lessons. There she received a diploma in music. On her return home she was enlisted as a regular performer on TV and radio. Besides, she has also performed at a number of programmes at the Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata.

Lily also wears the mantle of a member of JRSSP. In this role she travels out of Dhaka to conduct workshops. Every two years there is a countrywide competition among the talented Tagore singers. In the alternate years the conference is held among the 45 different districts where BRSSP has branches. From this year the Indian High Commission has offered the winners, scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The next conference will be held in Comilla.

Rabiraag is a cultural organisation that teaches and promotes Tagore songs. The group organises a special festival every year.

About her future plans, Lily says, "The Shanto-Mariam University plans to set up an audio studio in our university, from where we will release CDs and conduct other tasks related with music production." The students and teachers, she says, also go outside Dhaka to stage cultural programmes.

Lily concludes on an optimistic note. As she says, "Outside Dhaka the practise of Tagore songs is widespread. The people are very enthusiastic about music, indicated by the huge participation in the workshops. They also perform at our festivals."