How Rabindranath Tagore inspired you in your childhood?
Rabindanath Tagore has always inspired me. I remember when I was a child, in our home my grand parents and of course I, used to worship Rabindranath Tagore's idol. I still remember it quite clearly. Truly, Rabindranath is a part of my life.
Which particular track of Tagore did you like the most in your childhood?
I liked a lot of songs by him. 'Ai monihar amay nahi saje' is a song I liked very much. In fact, let me share a small memory. We had a medical shop in Ballygunge (in south Kolkata) and eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponents like Debovrata Biswas used to visit us. He had once sang this song to me. I still remember it.
What do you feel about the various experimentation that are being done on Tagore's songs?
Experimentation is a welcomed thing. But those who do it, have to study Rabindranath as well as 'Baul' very nicely. Don't forget, Rabindranath used to see himself as 'Rabi Baul'. People need to have that education as well as responsibility while doing such experiments.
What do you think about the various fusions that are now being done with Rabindranath Tagore's compositions?
Fusion is nothing new. Rabindranath Tagore himself thought about it long ago. He had himself crossed the bridge. Irish folks as well as Scottish folks had touched him. He had reframed and experimented with 'Ragas' and 'Taals'.Truly, he himself had done a lot of experiments, as well as fusion.
Western beats are now added to Rabindra Sangeet. Will it make his songs more easily understandable to foreigners?
Foreigners will not understand Rabindranath's song. But surely it will help the modern Bengali boys who do not know his song well. I started that kind of a fusion by adding lead guiter and drum beats to baul songs and his compositions. In this process I tried to connect the young generation with Rabindranath Tagore. I tried to revisit them.
Your up- coming projects related to Rabindranath Tagore?
Right now, I am doing ‘Pratham Alo’ to be aired on Mahuaa Bangla channel. It’s a programme that highlights the omnipresence of Tagore in the life of every Bengali, either a celebrity or a common man.Next year I am planning to do 'Tasher Desh' with folk artists. Times Music has released a CD where me and musician Shantanu Moitra have done four tracks on Tagore.I want to do a project on 'Rabi Baul'.
Durga Puja is round the corner. What are your plans for the Puja?
I do not stay in Kolkata during Durga Puja. I really miss my childhood days when I used to enjoy a lot during Pujas.
