The second edition of Inspired India Concert paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation

A blend of multiple cultural genres marked Sourendro-Soumyojit’s Inspired India Concert 2020, presented by Ambuja Neotia and supported by Senco Gold, in association with The Telegraph, at Courtyard on the Indian Museum premises, on the evening of January 16. The 2020 edition of the concert, curated by musical duo Sourendro Mullick and Soumyojit Das, was an amalgamation of art and culture as artistes of varying artistic disciplines came together to celebrate 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi. The event featured the likes of Ustad Rashid Khan, Papon, Rupam Islam, Akriti Kakar, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Sharmila Biswas, Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, Parvathy Baul, Sourendro-Soumyojit and Harsh Neotia. While Rashid Khan mesmerised the crowd with his musical rendition of a piece of poetry, Harsh Neotia read out a letter by Rabindranath Tagore written to the Father of the Nation. The Telegraph was in the audience. 

Dwitiyo Purush actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay talked about the Constitution of India and how it empowers the citizens with the freedom to critique if need be, and demonstrate against governments and their policies. He also recited Chitto jetha bhoy shunno, Uchcho jetha shir/ Gyan jetha mukto, Jetha griher prachir/ Apon prangon tole dibos shorbori/ Bosudhare rakhe nai khondo khudro kori (Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free, Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic wars), by Tagore.

Akriti Kakar talked about Gandhi’s vision and regaled the crowd with Jodi tor daak shune keu na ashey tobe ekla cholo re. She also sang the Hindi version, Jab kali ghata chhaye. The crowd joined in unison.

The musical session started off with Ustad Rashid Khan casting a spell on the audience in his inimitable style as he sang Bol, ke lab azaad hai tere, an immortal composition by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, setting the mood for the rest of the evening. Giving him company was Soumyajit.

The loudest cheer was reserved for Fossils frontman Rupam Islam, who spoke on Bapu’s contribution to the freedom movement. The crowd got into the act as he started singing Muktiro mondiro shopano tole, Koto praan holo bolidaan, Lekha achhey asru joley.

(L-R) Soumyojit, Somlata, Rupam, Akriti, Parambrata and Papon sang the National Anthem at the end of the programme.

Odissi exponent Sharmila Biswas presented Katha Surpanakha, a piece from the epic Ramayana.

Papon enthralled the capacity crowd with his rendition of one of Gandhi’s favourite bhajans, Vaishnava jana toh, written by 15th century poet-saint Narsinh Mehta.

Ambuja Neotia Group chairman Harsh Neotia delivered an address that paid tribute to Gandhi’s ideals of peace and non-violence while visuals of Bapu played in the background through a projector. He said the Mahatma’s vision of humanity had left a lasting impression through the annals of history.

Somlata charmed the audience with We Are the World. The crowd was simply swept away by her powerful vocals.

Soumyojit (vocals) and Sourendro (on piano; in picture above) wowed the audience with their rendition of Ishwar Allah tero naam, sabko sanmati de bhagwan. They followed it up with Saare jahaan se achcha Hindustan hamaara and then with Aaguner poroshmoni chhoaon praane.

Parvathy Baul was cheered on by every member present on the ground as she presented a composition by the poet Kabir in baul style.