EZCC
EZCC, in collaboration with Bidhannagar Sanskriti Angan, celebrated Rabindrajayanti with veteran as well as upcoming artistes.
There were senior singers like Rajeswar Bhattacharjee and Biva Sengupta, who was days shy of turning 88. “I even suffered from Covid and was hospitalised but wanted to come and perform,” she said before singing Krishnakali ami tarei boli.
Singer Paramita Bhattacharya said she drew the attention of the organisers when she stood first in a state-wide music contest a few years back. “I’ve been performing regularly since then,” she said.
There were seasoned orators like Satinath Mukhopadhay, who recited Tagore. “We artists are overwhelmed to be performing on stage this year. Despite the looming threat of a fourth wave, we can’t resist the excitement of celebrating pochishey Baishakh,” he said.
Abhirup Guhathakurta, Sreeradha Bandyopadhyay, Bratati Bandyopadhyay, Jagannath and Urmimala Basu, Shaswati Guhathakurta and many others took the stage.
Anindya Paul, secretary of Bidhannagar Sanskriti Angan, said this would be technically their 25th year since starting Rabindrajayanti but the last two years were usurped by the pandemic. “Rabindrasangeet exponents like Subinoy Roy, Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Maya Sen and Gita Ghatak used to encourage us. Partha Ghosh, who passed away recently, used to perform here every year,” he said.
Bharati Kanjilal
CK CL Park
Morning walkers sing Rabindrasangeet at CK-CL Park.
Brinda SarkarCK-CL Park Morning Walkers Association began Rabindrajayanti with a moment of silence for all those who lost their lives to Covid. “We were unable to celebrate the occasion for the last two years and even though the pandemic isn’t over, we are grateful for this small window to do so now,” said the announcer Tushar Ranjan Mukherjee, before leading members to a moment of contemplation for friends and family members they had lost.
Chandrasekhar Bag then presented a soulful rendition of Chhokher aloy, followed by a speech on the bard by C.R. Bain, who highlighted the painter in Tagore. “Experts believe that even if Tagore hadn’t written a line of poetry, he would still be a stalwart because of the power of his brush alone. And to think he picked up the art only in old age,” noted the CL Block resident.
There was keyboard rendition by Class XII student Baishyayan Banerjee, who played Sokatore oi, Klanti amar and on public demand, Tomar holo shuru. “I’m self-taught and play all kinds of songs. But from Rabindrasangeet I derive inspiration and energy,” said the BK Block resident.
CL Bock’s Gopal Prasad Mandal recited and though Ajay K. Das did not perform, he was ready to offer infrastructure the next time round. “I have a state-of-the-art sound system at home that I could donate to this group so we can hold this meet even more professionally next time,” said the CK Block resident.
The event concluded with a chorus of Purano sei, led by Baishyayan on the keyboard and Bag on vocals. “Attendance was certainly way less than before,” Bag admitted. “Since the lockdowns, many people don’t come to walk anymore. Some are walking on their terraces and some have given up the habit altogether. We were in a quandary on whether to hold this meet or not but then finally went with words of the bard himself — Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla chalo re — and decided to hold it anyway.”
Colours of festivity
Singers and dancers perform at GD Park
Sixty singers and 124 dancers of 12 cultural groups came together for a spring festival organised by Ward 34. While the groups performed individually, the performers of different genres and styles came together to perform as one for the inaugural song — Ore grihobasi — and concluding song — Rangiye diye jao.
Besides councillor Ranjan Poddar, mayor Krishna Chakraborty and several other councillors were in attendance. Sutapa Dutta Bhandari, who was the cultural convenor as well as anchor, then began inviting individual groups to take the stage.
Music group Aikotan began the individual events with a chorus of Aji basanta jagrata dware while dance group Kalapi performed. Music group Antaranga then sang folk numbers like Aj fagune agun lage while Sibarati Nrityalay complimented them with dance steps.
The show was welcomed by the audience and artistes alike. “I have gained weight over the last two years and tried hard to shed it during vigorous practice during the last two weeks. I’m also trying to regain my stamina and energy,” said Abantika Biswas, a student of Kalapi.
The spearhead of Esha Goswami Dance Troupe said they enjoyed performing. “Online shows and shoots do not match up to dancing before a live audience,” she said. “Many of my students, myself included, have gained weight and many of them were complaining that their outfits were not fitting.”
Tagore songs were presented by music schools like Chhandanir, led by Tripti Sen, Parampara led by Kumkum Mitra and Geetayan led by Goutam Baran Adhikary and Uttarayani led by Purnima Bhattacharya. “I feel like a free bird released from a cage today,” said Bhattacharya.
Bharati Kanjilal
