Debarati Som, a veteran Rabindrasangeet singer and teacher, has her own unique style. Her sincerity is reflected in her renditions as well as in the training she imparts to her students. To celebrate the annual programme of her institution, Baitalik, a musical evening was recently organized at Rabindra Sadan. The show was divided into two parts - the first half featured all the students of the institution performing Rabindranath Tagore's monsoon melodies, and it was named Aj Srabaner Amantrane.
The evening opened with " Kobe ami bahir holem", an inaugural group performance, followed by several renditions of barsha songs by a hundred students. " Abar esechhe ashar" was performed by Atashi Banerjee, Sahana Bagchi, Abantika Pramanik and Mouman Banerjee, while Arundhati Chattopadhyay sang "Utal dhara badal jhare" earnestly. The high point of the programme was a well-synchronized and well-rehearsed group performance. Gargi Goswami was tuneful in her rendition of " Ogo amar srabon megher kheya" and Monalisa De did justice to the song, "Aaj sraboner purnima te". " Ogo saontali chhele", by Indrani Das, was enjoyable.
The second half of the show presented Adhara Madhuri, an interesting concept based on the poems of Sanai along with relevant songs. It focused on poems which Tagore developed from the songs he had written earlier. This segment, which was directed by Debarati Som, was a brilliant presentation. Tagore's poems and songs blended naturally and tunefully. Urmimala Basu recited "Asha jaoa" in her inimitable style; following the thematic tune of the poem, Debarati sang " Prem esechhilo nihshabdo charane" soulfully. She emphatically captured the song's reflective mood. Equally good was the rendition of "Tumi kon bhangoner pathe ele".
Swapan Som's " Ei udasi haoar pathe pathe" was impressive; the relevant poem, "Jabar agey", by Urmimala touched one's heart. Sumantra Sengupta and Bishakha Mukhopadhyay also took part in the recitation. The artists were accompanied by Debasish Saha, Palash Roy, Marco, Samir Chattopadhyay and Bikram Chakraborty.
To celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the poet, composer and lyricist, Rajanikanto Sen, the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture organized a concert of songs composed by him, as well a few songs by Atulprasad Sen and D.L. Roy. The show, conducted by Swastika Mukhopadhyay (picture, right), consisted of group and solo presentations. Some of the singers were out of tune, some nervous, some uncomfortable with the microphone. But the entire presentation was sincere and honest, which was praiseworthy. Paramita De sang "Jodi tor hrid jamuna", an Atulprasad song, with conviction. " Ami sakal kajer pai hey samay", by Kaushik Sarkar, was expressive, as was "Chahi atripto nayane", a D.L. Roy composition, by Maitreyee De. Swastika ended the programme with her usual flair.
