Bands and Musicians have no power to bring the Tagore’s songs to another world through their remix versions, says MITHUN DEY.
Rabindra sangeet is particularly distinguished sangeet from other range of musical phenomenon in India and indeed the rest of the world. It is pure and not polluted by any meaning. It is an echo of the inner music. Tagore wrote the songs depending on every moment whatever arises in life.
Sadly, the most widely renowned bands and musicians have remixed Rabindra sangeet these days. It is not sound good if we play Rabindra sangeet in Rock Style and not that good as compared to the original version. I don’t think anyone has the right to distort Tagore’s compositions.
The Bands and Musicians have no power to bring the Tagore’s songs to another world through their remix versions. Tagore wrote the songs with proper meaning but we are very much here to spoil them. It’s just like adding salty to a sugary food. I think the singers should have thought of that before they sang the song in their own way.
I think it is a regular remix version and later it will turn into hip-hop remix. Our respected musicians must think that it ruins the entire feel of Rabindra sangeet. We should never use present and future tense in Rabindra sangeet as its originality was created by Tagore for the past, present and future.
In such circumstances, we need for true music lovers and ideal cultural organisers. The singers will be allowed to sing only original songs like Rabindra sangeet and not these vulgar songs to sing.
Organising a cultural event is the root for creating a memorable and successful one. We should save our culture and its grace by saving Rabindrasangeet. There won’t be another Tagore in future if it continues in this manner.
Though, many people enjoy considering what Rabindra sangeet is with different sounds and highly acceptable. But, it is not gladly coupled with Tagore’s song. I have come across some remix versions of Rabindra sangeet which failed to bring music to my ears.
Some remix versions are: “Jaorane Jay Bibhabori”, the song is used on the Bengali film “Ranjana Ami Ar Asbo Na” by Singer and Music director Anjan Dutta. “Gaye Amar Pulok Lage, Chokhe Ghanai Ghor” sung by Samantak Sinha (Sunny) & Sharmistha from Bengali Album “Ganer Opare”. “Mayabono Biharini” from the album Bedroom by Somlata Acharyya chowdhury.
“Shokhi Bhabona Kahare Bole” sung by Jayati Chakraborty from “Ekti Tarar Khonje”. “Remake I Know You, Know You” (Ami Chini Go Chini Tomare) from “Rock With Rabindranath” (mixed artists) album. A Tribute to Rabindranath Thakur by Amitabh Bachchan, “Ekla Cholo Re” From Kahaani.
So, there is remixes of songs which completely ruin the Tagore’s original works. There is an urgent need to stop the obscene gestures, which are being served in the form of remix songs. There is no dearth of original music and the credit goes to various musicians and bands of all genres. But after a wave of Tagore’s originality, it now seems that the music industry of Bengal is running low on creativity as the new order of the day is remixes. It ruins the aesthetics of Rabindrasangeet. These days, market is flooded with hundred of such albums and the same songs are remixed again and again until they lose their original charm.
Tagore’s works are now public domain as its copyright has expired in Viswa Bharati. We have some plethora of young jazz singers who have taken up on remixing the old cherished Rabindra sangeet. Such atrocious violation of the work of Tagore should be barred by making special provisions in law. Else it will perish the original work of the bard.
