Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

So how does it feel? When I switch on the TV and listen to Abbasuddin Ahmed's songs on Zee Bangla, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. There is Tirtho, Rish and Shoumo singing away—'Oki o bondhu kajol bhromora re', or 'Prano shokhi re oi shone kodombo tole', or songs like 'Amay bhashaili re', 'O amar dorodi age janle' I feel a degree of elevation that I have never known before from watching Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (Zee Bangla). It is as if I can visualize my grandfather sitting next to me, watching the programme with me and saying, "Yes, today I feel blessed, I am deeply satisfied that these songs have been propagated by the energetic youth and my sacrifices of choosing a musical career, over other careers , has been rewarded."

The colourful galaxy of young artists bringing in their talented and cultured voices, coupled with imaginative scenes, dresses, props and above all medley/fusion with other songs is bringing the folk genre to the drawing rooms of the viewers. The contemporary music of India (both Hindi and Bangla) has been repetitive items on the Zee Bangla competition scene. It was either songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, songs sung by Kishore Kumar, Manna De, Kumar Shanu, etc , making each years' programmes similar to the other and singing styles too were redundant. Kaushiki Chokroborty, the admirable songstress says, she always stressed on bringing a change and bringing classical, folk and other genre to the competitions.

Then came this added variety this year.  During an episode on Satyajit Ray's film titled 'Gupi Gain Bagha Bayin' songs were rendered, suddenly sweets were lowered into the studios with the help of cranes from above. Judges, contestants ate them and brought out the beauty of creation. In recent times, Zee Bangla gave tribute to Manabendra Mukherjee and the contestants were zealous with their rendition of the maestro's songs…Ami eto je tomay bhalobeshechi, ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay, the duo singing 'Dole dodul dole jhulona'..and the heart leaps out of the casket and wants to fly. It wishes to step back into the teens and meander in the gardens of youth, where spring flowers bloom and sonorous birds sing out in similar duos. Such is the effect, enticing, sleep wracking, yet nerve soothing, fresh and novel.

From these programmes, we get the likes of Shreya Ghoshal, now a household name, famous playback singer. Soon, Shoumo and Tirtho will be household names, through the recording studios, publicity and new CDs, cassettes flooding the Indian market, bringing them to fame for their great singing. They will be invited to Dhaka Club, Uttara Club etc. for sky rocketing prices. Our Kiron Chondro Roy, Bipul Bhattachrya, Rathindranath Roy , singing the same songs, having even further experience, collection, mastery, will remain where they were.

I feel sad, during the non- partition days Abbasuddin Ahmed had been a household name in all of India, but in subsequent times, Bangladesh's folk artists have not achieved the same status. Runa Laila and Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya have gone international; all other artists (of Bangladesh) are famed in some way but not to that extent. In folk genre, we have produced very talented singers who have the originality and the gift to make the international scene, but they haven't.

The recording companies in India, their distribution, their commitment to bring the artist to the audience has had prolific roles in helping quite mediocre artists like Pankaj Udhas to international fame, while our Shehnaz Rahmatullah, Abdul Alim are limited to being  Bangladeshi treasures. 

With the emergence of international distributors such as ME label and similar entrepreneurs, I hope the Bangladeshi artists too will spread their songs like 'forest fire' and attain its deserved position. Appealing to the younger generation to set fire on Youtube, bring them to light, and let the world catch fire with the talents that are 'Bangladeshis'.

The writer is an Academic, Nazrul exponent and writer.