Lalon- the Guru

Lalon Fakir was born in 1774 in an obscure village in the district of Kushtia, in Bangladesh. One of the greatest mystic-singers the Indian subcontinent has ever produced, Lalon was perhaps the most radical voice in India during British colonial rule. He had no formal education and lived in extreme poverty. Writing in nineteenth-century lyrical Bangla [Bengali]. Lalon composed numerous songs which still provide spiritual and political inspiration to the Bangla rural peasant--a class from which Lalon himself came, and also to freedom-fighters all over the world. He celebrates the freedom of body, soul, and even language from all repressive and divisive forces. Always opposed to casteism, sectarianism, and colonialism, Lalon represents and exemplifies the true revolutionary and secular nature of his community known as "Baul", a community of financially challenged, self-educated, wandering singers whose wisdom and wit do not come from academic training, but from an active contact with a life intensely lived.

Here is link where you can listen to a few of his songs:

http://banglamusic.com/music/folk/lalongeeti/

My Poems

I have been trying to tame the poetry beast in me....only to realise its in my heart beat. Here is the latest which I composed driving to my office in heavy rain. Sorry its in Bangla but My English unlike Rabindranath Thakur ( people write Tagor which is not how the name is pronounced) , the Noble prize winner, is unable to translate...let alone rythme.

নিরাশায় থেকে আশায় বাধি বুক,
বঞ্চনাও তো এক রকম পাওয়া-
এমন হিসাবে সুখে আছি উজবুক
উনুনে আগুন, শূন্য যদিও তাওয়া।

Sailing on the two boats :)

Here is a picture of the last Bangla New Year celebration. I love Bangla music, its rich heritage and specially the poetry. Glad to be on both ends of the equilibrium....... Now I hope to sing all the English classics as well as the Bangla ones.
Of course, then will come the Hindi, Urdu ( Gazal only),Arabic, Tagalo and what not. hahaha

Love being the Music freak!!!!!!

My night at the Radisson

I have only learned to read the music spread sheet last November...Thanks to my much loved friends from Phillipines, Uganda and Kenya. I always wanted to learn 4-5 parts music which I first experienced in Rabindra Shongit. But being in Bangladesh and being very busy with my study and the Subcontinental art forms ( classical music, Rabindra Shongit, Classical dance like Katthak and Varat Nattam, sports etc etc) I just could not make the time or effort.

Just to realise that I went from "what is Alto?" to singing Handel and Thomas Morley at a concert in one of the most prestigious Hotels in Dhaka- I can't help being proud. the picture is taken by my cousin, who of all things, does not know how to keep still. (sigh)

Major blooper- I did not invite my Country director but she went and saw me singing. God! Help!