Tagore’s timeless tunes echo once more across the Bengali film industry in the form of Pritha Chatterjee’s rendition of Awdhora madhuri, now part of the soundtrack of Indrasis Acharya’s film Goodbye Mountain. The song is about freedom, expressed in the metaphor of a bird in flight over foreign lands. This symbolism is important to note, given the themes and motifs that Goodbye Mountain touches on. The film is based on the question of ‘what if’, in which Rituparna Sengupta and Indraneil Sengupta play former lovers bound in time and space, wondering what their lives would have panned out like if their relationship ever worked out.
The music video is simple but effective, showing snapshots of everyday life – the duo by the river, at home, reading together, pottering about in the kitchen together, singing together, and walking hand in hand amidst nature with their arm around each other. There is a simplicity to it that makes the story hit harder, and leaves a sweet yet unsatisfied aftertaste in its wake, almost as though unsaid words and feelings were lingering in these regular, daily conversations and activities. Rituparna and Indraneil are a delight to watch on screen. Fresh from the success of Puratawn, the pair bring a gentle, easy chemistry that makes their moments together feel lived-in rather than performed, and adds to the quiet charm of the video.
The musical arrangement keeps things understated, letting the lyrics and emotions take centre stage. The use of minimal instrumentation also mirrors the intimacy of the story, with Chatterjee’s vocals standing out clear and unadorned, adding a sincerity that makes the song feel personal rather than performative. Even in its simplicity, the arrangement leaves a lingering warmth, much like the story it is part of.