Ankan’s aspirations
There is a sense of melancholy and serenity in Ankan Kumar's voice that draws listeners into the emotions he pours into his songs. Though an introvert at heart, the moment he begins to sing, he lets go completely and invites you into his world of melody.
I first discovered his music through "Upo" from Hatirpool Sessions, and his recent Coke Studio Bangla track "Long Distance Love" infatuated me with his voice, all over again.
"From a young age, I have been practicing pure classical music. Back then, I always thought about how to play with notations and create melody. I am a curious soul, which is why I always want to explore new sounds. However, I believe the essence of Bangla music should remain the same even while experimenting," said Ankan, sipping coffee at The Daily Star.
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"Upo" went on to become one of the most viewed songs from Hatirpool Sessions. Talking about its origin, Ankan said, "I made this song during Covid, when I had a 102-degree fever. I couldn't go outside, and my thoughts felt trapped within me. In that vulnerable state, at the break of dawn, something inside me sparked and I composed the tune. Later, I met the people behind Hatirpool Sessions. They told me they were working on a lot of original tracks, and asked me to create one. It felt surreal that the song I wrote in isolation during Covid was finally recorded after the pandemic." At the time, Ankan had no idea that the song would go viral on social media.
When it comes to writing lyrics, he often channels his own life experiences and shapes them into poetry. "There is a line in 'Upo' — 'Lal dekha kaal hoye brishti name, ar meghgulo khoye khoye jaay.' Literally, it may not make much sense, but it came from something deeply personal. I had a date that day, and there was a dress code for traditional Bangladeshi attire. She was supposed to wear a saree with a red tip, but I never got to see her. The word 'Laal' represents the tip, while 'kaal hoye' reflects the disappointment of missing that moment. It was raining that day too, which added to the sorrow. The feeling of not seeing her consumed me," he shared.
There are also specific compositions in which he completely loses himself while singing. "Certain notations make me feel as though I am zoning out and travelling back to those emotions. Each time I go through that, I relive the pain. But as an artiste, revisiting that emotion adds more honesty and integrity to my music," he reflected.
Recently, Ankan has been making waves with "Long Distance Love," composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo, with lyrics co-written by Pragata Naoha and Ankan himself. The song resonated deeply with listeners who related to the pain of separation. "Some loved it, while others didn't. But what I cherished most was that people began sharing their own love stories in my comment section," he said.
The song came together under the guidance of Arnob. "Arnob da reached out to Pragata and me, asking if we could create a song about long-distance love. I prefer acoustic instruments for orchestration, and Shuvo bhai and Arnob da arranged everything beautifully. During the recording, I saw violin and cello players laying down their parts alongside my track. I had always dreamed of a full orchestral setup, and with this song, I finally experienced it. Shuvendu bhai and Arnob da nailed it," said Ankan.
However, some listeners pointed out pronunciation issues. Ankan explained, "This is a Bangla track with R&B and pop influences. When there is such influence, I could pronounce the words perfectly, but if I did not complete them within one breath, I would lose the next line. Breathing control plays a big role here. If you directly pronounce specific notations into the mic, the mic catches the breathing as well, which can sound odd. That is why I shaped the pronunciation the way I did. If someone listens carefully, they will notice the sound is balanced and the pronunciation is correct."
Some felt that "Upo" and "Long Distance Love" sounded similar. Ankan smiled at the comparison. "When Shuvendu bhai and I sat together, we were deciding how to begin the song. I had seven favourite chords that I also used in 'Upo,' and naturally they slipped into this one too. That is why some thought it sounded similar. But the approach was different. We created the whole song in a conversational tone, which gave it its own identity."
Listening to Ankan Kumar sing is like stepping into a world where emotions are raw, unfiltered, and beautifully human. Ankan's songs remind you that vulnerability can be a kind of strength, and that true artistry comes from the heart.
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