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Music for a cause

In their own unique way, an eminent Bengali singer and musician are taking a melodious step forward to help a cause.

Soma Das, a singer with a mellifluous voice who resides in London but with a Kolkata connection launched her debut album Amar Praner Manush based on Tagore songs on Monday evening. The album is designed by noted musician, arranger, composer Debojyoti Mishra and comprises eight songs from Tagore like, Amar Praner Manush, Emon Dine Tare Bola Jay, Sei Bhalo Sei Bhalo, Biraho Madhur Holo Aji, Amar Hiyar Majhe, Shrabaner Dharar Moto, Jakhan Esechhile and so on.
Soma took her diploma in Tagore songs from Dakshinee – a renowned institution from Bengal – and took music lessons from Haimanti Shukla, Suprakash Chaki and by profession, is a teacher.
The most interesting part of the release was a tribute to a traditional band from Bengal, the Mehboob Band. Soma wanted to mark the release ceremony of her album a bit differently from the others. An album with a cause, she also wanted to contribute a part of the ticket sales to the band as she feels every artiste owes something to society.
The Mehboob Band, a noted band group known as band party, performs at marriage receptions, puja immersions and so on. This band started its journey during pre-independence era in Kolkata at M G Road.
Long back, there were more than 100 musicians who bagged so many awards. Soma said, "I have planned my release also in London where I am going to involve street musicians to release my album". Debojyoti Mishra said, "To judge a song hit, bands play an important role. They are performing a song means it's a hot one. It's a tribute to such musicians who have been entertaining us over so many decades."
In another event, eminent santoor player Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya will be showcasing a new raga named Ganga after India's holy river, the mighty Ganges. GIMA award winner tabla maestro and new age percussion star Pandit Prodyut Mukherjee has designed the sound of this album. He has also accompanied with his melodious tabla. The album will release in Kolkata on September 6.
The concern for the river has reached the domain of Indian classical music. Ganga is our life line and epicentre of our civilisation but we keep polluting it and in some places sewage water pours into the Ganga, our sacred river.
After playing at all most top notch venues in the world like Royal Albert Hall, Theatre De La Vill (France), Kremlin (Moscow), Pt Bhattacharya has extended his hands towards social service. Recipient of many awards, his previous social activities were related to patients suffering from thalassaemia, polio, street children and so on.
Starting from Kolkata to Varanasi this album will be released all over India where Ganga floats even in different names. To spread the message, this album will be released from a reputed music company of USA as well. The audio CD will be released by Padmabibhushan Girija Devi at Sangeet Research Academy, on Kristi Creation.
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