Remixing Tagore songs without distortions are acceptable: Moina

The depth and appeal of Tagore songs always fascinate Moina

Tagore's devotional songs attract Moina most. He never fails to wonder about their depth and appeal. ' The most fascinating thing in these songs is the lyrics,' says Moina.

To quote Moina, 'With appropriate composition, the beauty of these songs has been enhanced. Some songs of this category like Shimar majhe ashim tumi, Bajao apon shur or Amar matha noto kore dao he tomar have a spiritual essence. The relationship between man and the Creator has been portrayed vividly.' He feels that a single song has several dimensions or interpretations: love of God and love for the beloved both can be represented by these songs.

Among the nearly 3000 songs in Geetobitan, not all are composed by Tagore. Moina says, 'The song Diner sheshe ghumer deshe, one of my favourites, has not been composed by Tagore.' This particular song represents the twilight years of human life. Pankaj Kumar Mallik, with the consent of Tagore, turned one of the most brilliant poems, Shesh khea, into tune. This piece was not changed by Tagore later, because of its appropriateness.

Moina feels that the idea of singing Tagore songs in the Rabindrik Mudra is not right. The artistes of the bygone days often used a nasal tone which Moina disapproves of. He thinks the songs are universal and should be sung in a simple manner like any other song. Among the most established styles of the different mentors of Tagore songs, Moina follows Hemanta Mukhapadhaya. Moina says, 'His voice modulation is perfect. Although Hemanta Mukhapadhaya was modern singer in his time, his contribution in popularising Tagore songs is tremendous.' Moina equally admires the style of Devabrata Biswas.

According to Moina, as the copyright of Tagore songs has expired, there is always a chance of distortion. The rules of notation and music have not been protected all the time. Many singers are freely presenting Tagore songs. For instance, they are changing the taal and music. Ajay Chakroborty of India remade a few of Tagore's songs in his own way. Moina says, 'Whether these changed versions will win the hearts of the audience is not the point; the important thing is that there have been alarming distortions.'

However, Moina does not oppose the idea of remixing Tagore songs with inputs of modern musical instruments. 'But, I feel, songs with a western tune should be given instrumental backups only,' said Moina.

Tagore composed his songs in different patterns of Drupad, Kirtan, Baul and western. Baro asha kore, Ami chini go chini or Purano shei diner kotha are composed in the western pattern. Moina says, 'As Tagore himself was influenced by such western tunes, why can't any other musician use instruments like violin, piano or the mouth organ in Tagore songs? But the idea of remaking the songs by changing the original tunes will be a total distortion to Tagore's creation,' concludes Moina.