Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 570 Mon. January 02, 2006  
   
Culture


A treat of Tagore songs in Bengal Shilpalaya


On December 31, 2005 culture aficionados congregated for a musical evening of Tagore's songs, titled Amader Shantiniketon. The organiser was the Bengal Foundation and the venue was the Bengal Shilpalaya. The musical programme featured Shoshthika Mukhopadhyay, Mohua Chattopaddhyay and Sandeep Sen, well-known Indian artistes of Tagore and yesteryear's songs. They are all from Shantiniketan.

On the heels of the inauguration, a musical session began with a chorus of Tagore songs. The songs were as follows Aye amader Angoney, Firey cholo matir taney, Noyoney gogoney miloner chondey, Aguner parashmoni choyao praney and Jodi tarey nai chinigo sheiki among others.

The setting at Bengal Shilpalaya, with Egyptian paintings of Adil hung on the wall and artistes accompanied by other musicians on the tanpura, tabla, keyboard and harmonium was effective. The sounds and melodies that eventually followed were soothing for the frazzled city dweller.

Shoshthika's voice was captivating and had a distinctive quality and clarity. Her sustained notes were amazing. The music, emotional at times, transported the audience to a higher reality.