Splendours of folk music

Biswajit Ray

The not-so-widely-known artiste rendered 21 songs, mostly of spiritual poets Radharaman Dutta and Shah Abdul Karim, at the Liberation War Museum premises. Arranged by Nibedon, a music group, the programme titled Ami Banglar Gaan Gai was attended by many eminent cultural personalities including poet Shamsur Rahman, music intellectual Dr. Karunamoy Goswami, lyricist Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, Rabindra Sangeet performer Anup Bhattacharya, and folk singer Indra Mohon Rajbangshi.

Biswajit Ray has had a 3-year course on Nazrul Sangeet from Chhayanaut. But the pristine rural tunes had already attracted him in his childhood. Biswajit's mother, who was a devoted disciple of the spiritual musician Radharaman Dutta, aroused his interest in Radharaman's song, teaching him all the songs she knew. And this eventually led Biswajit's determination to research on the folk musician.

Recently, Biswajit went to Sylhet, the seat of Radharaman's musical heritage. And he returned with a rich treasure of Baul songs by Radharaman, Shah Abdul Karim, Durbin Shah and others. 'Noted music personality Ram Kanai Das and many others assisted me,' says Biswajit. He especially expresses his gratitude to theatre activist Nasiruddin Yousuff, who arranged most of the finance for this enterprise.

Biswajit Ray has numerous other feats to his credit in the field of music. An 'A-grade' artiste of the Betar and BTV, he has also written articles on music for the Daily Shangbad, Janakantha, the Shaptahik 2000, and the fortnightly Anandadhara.

Biswajit has directed music in a number of theatre plays including Krishna Kanter Will of Theatre Baily Road, Joy Joyonti of Aranyak, and Chand Boniker Pala of Nagorik Natyangan Ensemble. In recent days Biswajit has made some TV programmes on music. Among these programmes, Nodi Nirobodhi on the history of thousand-year old Bangla music, special programmes on Ekushey, the Independence Day and the Durga festival, a 50-episode show on Bangla songs in 200 years have earned him an important place in the country's music scene.

Biswajit has also made a documentary on Bangla theatre songs during 1835-1935 under the research commission of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He is one of the chief organisers of the Poush Mela (Poush Fair) too.

At the programme of March 5 Biswajit sang more than 20 songs almost without a break and captivated the audience throughout the whole soiree. Among Radharaman's songs O re o roshik naiya, Amar antorey tusheri anol, Amar mon korey aakul, O ki roop dekhsoni and Bhramar koiyo giya earned him huge praise. The five tracks of Shah Abdul Karim--Haat bandhibo pao bandhibo/Mon bandhibo kemoney, Agey ki shundor din kataitam, Nao banailo kon mestori, Kemoney bhulibo ami and Gari choley na--were also applauded. Especially Gari choley na, which has already been popular among the young generation as popular band Dalchhut remade it in a modern version, was accompanied by rhythmic clapping of the whole audience.

Biswajit's endeavour no doubt stands out as an exemplary one in restoring and popularising the folk music of the country especially among the young generation.