Buddhadeb Guha performs at Rabindra Bhavan. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, April 20: Veteran writer Buddhadeb Guha gave a whole-hearted performance at Rabindra Bhavan this evening.

A popular Bengali fiction writer, people worldwide know Guha by his novels and short stories, which are a unique blend of dreamy abstractness and romantic appeal. His essays, essentially revealing the soul of a wanderer, provide some of the most beautiful renditions of travel in Bengal.

But in Jamshedpur, Guha mesmerised the audience not through a slice of his popular literature, but by the soulful rendition of traditional folklore of Bengal. An avid follower of Puratani songs, Guha has to his credit a collection of songs, including three audio cassettes and one CD, which he released recently.

Associated with music for the last 30 years, Guha has been heavily influenced by his wife Ritu Guha, who is a singer par excellence and has played a huge role in inspiring the singer in him to come out and sing at gatherings. “I never considered myself anything more than a bathroom singer, but I always was a great admirer of songs with a flavour of Bengali tradition,” said Guha told The Telegraph.

A highly successful chartered accountant, Guha was his composed self during the programme, which presented to citizens a very different Buddhadeb Guha even as he set the mood for the evening by his stylish take on classic and traditional folklore. He gave the audience a rare taste of Toppa style of music as has been popular with people of the earlier years.

The recipient of many prestigious awards, including Ananda Puraskar which was bestowed upon him in 1976, he also has to his name the awards of Shiromani Puraskar and the Sharat Puraskar.

“It is indeed a great honour to be present among so many people and to offer them a slice of Bengali music,” added Guha. He also spoke of his passion for writing and music. Currently working on his next set of five novels, which are slated for a Durga Puja release, the writer presented a collection of select Toppa songs to mesmerise the audience.

An initiative of city-based Tagore Society, a cultural body which works towards the promotion of Bengali culture and tradition, the programme was an effort to showcase Bengali culture among the people of the city.

Another artiste from Calcutta, Amar Pal lent full support to the accomplished writer through his rendition of traditional folklore from Bengal.

“It is an attempt on our part to give to the people an experience which they have never had before, depending on the response from people, we will initiate similar programmes in the days to come,” said Ashis Chowdhury, the general secretary of Tagore Society.