Songs of protest

Social and political activism figure in the music of Nagorik, a young band of Bengali artistes

Songs of protest

Social and political activism figure in the music of Nagorik, a young band of Bengali artistesu00a0

This tune, rhythm and song are just meant for you... so goes a Salil Chowdhury love song in Bengali. Nagorik, a Bangalore-based Bengali band, uses the same lyrics to pay tribute to Kabir Suman aka Suman Chatterjee, a modern-day revolutionary songwriter, singer and musician.u00a0

Anupam Roy, a software engineer Saptarshi Mukherjee, an economist, Dwitiya Chatterjee, a marketing person, Priyam and Sromona Chakraborty, two full-time musicians make up the crew of Nagorik now. Srijit Mukherjee, Rajarshi Majumdar, Tilak Dasgupta and Sharmistha Dasgupta, who were members of the band when it was set up in 2007, are currently otherwise engaged. The band had their first show in January 2008.

Activism in music
They write and compose their own songs, play their instruments and enthrall the audience. Though the group primarily sings modern Bengali songs, they are all trained in classical music. They have all been brought up on the usual fare of songs by Rabindranath Tagore and were influenced by western pop, rock and Hindi film music in their growing years.u00a0

"We are huge fans of Suman Chatterjee. That's what brought us together," says Sromona. Suman is credited with creating the genre of Bengali protest music. His songs, influenced by Bob Dylan, have strong undertones of social and political activism.u00a0

The young Nagorik group is full of life. They believe in celebrating it and losing themselvesu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 in their songs. Anupam's Hariye Jawar Gaan (on losingu00a0 oneself) is just a confirmation of the same. "We want to remain in touch with Bengali songs, irrespective of where we are," said Saptarshi, who composes, sings and plays the guitar.

Doing their own thing
At the Crossword Boi Choi Corner on Sunday, the group's versatility was on show. While Priyam and Saptarshi had the audience swaying to their own compositions Photographer and Naw Honyotey (One who can't be killed), Anupam's Amake Amar moto thaktey dao (Let me live my way) was a poignant song on break-up.

Their renditions of Suman's Ami jake bhalobashi, an adaption of Bob Dylan's My love and Sahasha ele ki a jibone (Your sudden entry into my broken life) were also well received.

Have the Bengalis in Bangalore given them the thumbs-up?u00a0
"If we sing well, there's an audience for it," says Saptarshi. "We sing only those songs that we believe in. We don't necessarily keep audience requests at shows," says Sromona.

The firm faith in their music that has impressed Kabir Suman. "He has promised to do an opera with us," reveals Anupam. That's surely one performance they're looking forward to.u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels