Almost in the spirit of the period film, Babul Supriyo and Suman Ghosh travelled back in time when Babul Supriyo used to be Supriyo Boral and Suman was three years his school junior when they got together to record a song for Kadambari last week.
“We used to study in Don Bosco Liluah and Babulda was friends with my brother. What I distinctly remember is that he used to sing very well and was popular for his rendition of Dil ke armaan aansuon mein,” said Suman.
Cut to 25 summers later — with Bollywood singer-turned-BJP MP Babul in the recording booth singing Tomarei koriyachhi jiboner dhrubotara for Suman, an economics professor-turned-filmmaker — it was a reunion of sorts. “We had never connected even after I started doing films here. I had heard his Rabindrasangeet albums and a Brahmasangeet he sang during one of his election meetings. That’s the feel I wanted for the song, so I recommended him to Bickramda (Ghosh),” recounted Suman. “After 25 years we bonded over WhatsApp.”
Recording for Kadambari was special for Babul too. “I remember Suman’s brother Shanto who was not shanto at all. It felt good to reconnect with Suman after so many years. Although we all got scattered after school, it can’t get better when music and creativity brings you back together.” “Babul’s song will be used in the end credits and apart from the Tagore songs, the others composed by me are all in the Rabindrik style,” said rhythm man Bickram Ghosh who chose to “stress less on percussions”when composing and directing five songs and the background score for Kadambari.
“In this film, you’ll find more of the composer in me. There’s live cello, violin and flute. The score is an eclectic mix of traditional sounds and live music. This is the way forward for me,” said the percussionist.
With the poll season keeping Babul on his toes, getting into the studio to record this song and bond with Suman and Bickram in the evenings meant “detox time” after a hard day of campaigning. “I’ve always said that I am housewife material. Apart from singing I also like to cook, wash and clean when I have free time. After getting into politics that was put to test but it feels great that I have passed it and still find joy in doing these!”
Mohua Das
