Baul song rechristened as tribute to the Bard

Kolkata: Invoking the `baul` philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, on his sesquicentennial birth anniversary, prolific singers of Bengali including Srikanto Acharya, Lopamudra Mitra, Rupankar and elocutionist Bratati Bandyopadhyay have chipped in together for a `tribute` album this puja. "The Baul of Bengal-Rabindranath Tagore was well-versed with the baul philosophy which is manifest in his timeless compositions like `Khanchar bhetor achin pakhi`," singer Rupankar, who had lent voice to `Lokta thake Bolpure` (the soul of Bolpur) said. "It is basically retaining the essential features of Rabindra sangeet with baul influence but in a more contemporary way, without exceeding the parameters. It is our homage to the great philosopher, thinker of all times," Srikanto, who sang "Rabithakur kothay thake" (where does the Bard live), said. Gifted composer Kalyan Sen Barat, the tune creator and music composer of Amar Baul said "we intend to give listeners a distinct musical experience as there had not been much effort to chronicle Tagore`s tryst with the baul school of thoughts and music. "It will also give listeners an idea where the contemporary lyricists, singers and composers stand with relation to the rich treasure trove of past and how much and whether baul music had evolved in past decades vis-a-vis other forms of folk music and Bengali songs," Barat said. Elocutionist Bratati Bandyopadhyay has also recited poems like Ami Tomar Pujoy (I am at your worship) and termed the whole experience as "one of devotion and pure solitude. "Amar Baul with 9 tracks keeping in mind the right emotion is our tribute this puja to the quintessential Baul of Bengal- Tagore, who had high regard for sufi balladeer of 19th century Lalon Fakir," Director of Orion Entertainment Nilakshi Roy said. PTI