Rituraj Medhi practises at a studio in Jalpaiguri. Picture by Biplab Basak

Jalpaiguri, Aug. 21: In the office he is busy checking files that outline the dues of tea garden labourers. In the studio he is a singer who sings about the joys and sorrows of the garden workers.

Rituraj Medhi, the assistant commissioner of provident fund at the Jalpaiguri sub-regional office, wears both hats with equal ease. The common thread running through his job and his passion, is the manner in which they connect to the lives of tea garden communities.

Medhi has been nurturing his singing talent for years, having performed on All India Radio and Doordarshan in Guwahati. This, however, is the first time that he has released an album.

Titled Mayabini Dooars, audio cassettes of his debut album hit the music stores recently. The music on the album is based on tunes and lyrics typical of the Dooars region.

Speaking about the album, Medhi said: “This is the first time that I have recorded an album based on the tunes and lyrics of the Dooars, depicting nature through songs. It is entirely the encouragement of my musician friends because of whom I have succeeded in launching the cassette.”

Apart from the interesting background of the singer, the release of the cassette marks the first time that an album has been produced entirely in Jalpaiguri except for the packaging.

Siddartha Mukherjee, one of the lyricists for the album and a partner in North Bengal Productions, the company promoting the cassette, said: “Apart from packaging, everything has been done here. We have tried our best to highlight nature, tea garden life and the beauty of Dooars in the lyrics. Medhi along with two friends, have composed the tunes on the album.”

Aside from the traditional tunes of Bengal, the album also features Bengali lyrics set to Assamese tunes to make it more attractive to listeners.

Medhi said that he was always interested in singing but he got the necessary inspiration after being transferred to Jalpaiguri.

“As my job entails mixing with people in the tea gardens, I got an insight into their culture, beliefs and other aspects of their lives. That is how I came up with the idea of singing their songs and putting out an album,” said Medhi, regarding his foray into this genre of music.

Those associated with the album expect it to do well, especially in north Bengal.