Krishnachura Agun Tumi
A classic, vintage, old Bengali song written by poet Batakrishna Dey, music composed by Sudhin Dasgupta and sung by the inimitable Geeta Dutt; choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This immensely popular song, written in the early 1950s, was originally a poem published in the prestigious Bengali literary journal Desh, of the Anandabazar group, and sung by one of the most well known playback singers of Bombay, Geeta Dutt. The music was composed by celebrity music director, Sudhin Dasgupta. It is as popular today as it was 70 years ago. The song says: Oh blood red, fiery Krishnachura flower, you are the signature symbol of new life, new dreams and hopes of the new green leaves in the barren branches of dried up trees during winter. You are the harbinger of the spring melody of love in my heart.
Hey Mahaprithibi
A well-known, old Bengali song written by poet Batakrishna Dey, music composed by Durga Sen and sung by Sandhya Mukherjee (Sandhya Mukhopadhyay); choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This song conveys a mood of deep anguish at unreciprocated love, though the poet writes that he gave it his all. It is as though he wrote his name in water which was neither visible nor lasting. He burned himself in the flame he lit to worship his deity of love, in the temple of his heart. The play house he built in his dream was washed away by the waves of the sea, leaving no trace on the shore. Was his love then like the wind, without any address, blowing over and vanishing into the horizon beyond? He would then rather leave in silence, after paying his tribute to love. This song was sung by the queen of modern Bengali songs in that era, Sandhya Mukherjee, whose tonal pathos touched the listeners’ hearts and became an instant hit – remembered and sung even now.
Path Aar Koto Dur
Batakrishna Dey wrote this classic song, with music composed by and sung by the renowned Nachiketa Ghosh; choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This song was written when he was just a graduate student in Kolkata‘s premier Presidency College but already a name to reckon with in the world of Bengali poetry and literature. It embodies the spirit and tempo of the relentless onward journey of life, amidst pleasure and pain, ups and downs. The traveler, at life’s crossroads, reflects on how far the destination, and how long the road ahead is, to reach the cherished horizon where the blue sky and the sea meet. The traveler travels along lush mango groves, jamun and palash trees, through fields of green grass on which the morning dew sparkles against the soft silken sunshine. But what pleasure does all this hold without the beloved as a companion – the greenery turns pale yellow, the moon is dull, and life rendered meaningless in the desolation of isolation. This song was sung and composed by a newcomer at that time, Nachiketa Ghosh, who later became a legendary music director in the field of modern Bengali songs.
Dhusor Godhuli
Written by poet Batakrishna Dey, this lilting song’s music was composed by Sailen Mukherjee (Sailen Mukhopadhyay) and sung by Nirmala Misra; choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This song paints a picture of a melancholy evening in an Indian village. When dusk descends with lengthening misty shadows, and the darkness of nightfall approaches, birds fly back to their nests. The village ladies light the ritual lamps on the sacred tulsi altar. A solitary flutist plays his soulful tunes exuding the pathos of his passion for his faraway soulmate. In this backdrop of the setting sun, the poet pens his thoughts, portraying his pain of separation and pining for union with his loved one. This song was an instant hit, creating a threefold record when it was published. This song was sung by a debutante young singer in her teens, Nirmala Misra who became one of the top singers in her later career. Interestingly, this song was composed by, again, a first time music director Sailen Mukherjee, who after this maiden venture, became immensely popular.
Shudhu Jale Likhe Naam
A beautiful classic Bengali song written by poet Batakrishna Dey, music composed by Durga Sen and sung by Sandhya Mukherjee (Sandhya Mukhopadhyay); choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This song conveys a mood of deep anguish at unreciprocated love, though the poet writes that he gave it his all. It is as though he wrote his name in water which was neither visible nor lasting. He burned himself in the flame he lit to worship his deity of love, in the temple of his heart. The play house he built in his dream was washed away by the waves of the sea, leaving no trace on the shore. Was his love then like the wind, without any address, blowing over and vanishing into the horizon beyond? He would then rather leave in silence, after paying his tribute to love. This song was sung by the queen of modern Bengali songs in that era, Sandhya Mukherjee, whose tonal pathos touched the listeners’ hearts and became an instant hit – remembered and sung even now.
Swati Tara Dube Gelo
A deeply felt old Bengali song written by poet Batakrishna Dey, music composed by Durga Sen and sung by Sandhya Mukherjee (Sandhya Mukhopadhyay); choreographed in the Odissi classical Indian dance style by Sreyashi Dey. This song conveys a mood of deep anguish at unreciprocated love, though the poet writes that he gave it his all. It is as though he wrote his name in water which was neither visible nor lasting. He burned himself in the flame he lit to worship his deity of love, in the temple of his heart. The play house he built in his dream was washed away by the waves of the sea, leaving no trace on the shore. Was his love then like the wind, without any address, blowing over and vanishing into the horizon beyond? He would then rather leave in silence, after paying his tribute to love. This song was sung by the queen of modern Bengali songs in that era, Sandhya Mukherjee, whose tonal pathos touched the listeners’ hearts and became an instant hit – remembered and sung even now.
Tumi Thako Ami Jai
A melodious song, full of pathos, written by Batakrishna Dey, and composed by Sailen Mukhopadhyay and sung by Manabendra Mukhopadhyay. This song has been choreographed in the Odissi style by Sreyashi Dey. The poet is watching the leaves fall from the trees in autumn and is filled with sadness. In a conversation with the tree, he asks the leaves to stay, and if anyone has to leave, he says he will. He asks the leaves to stay and paint a dream-filled picture for us. It is as if he can hear the soft weeping of the leaves that will inevitably fall, so he entreats them to stay and for the tree to bear new buds and flowers. He cannot bear to imagine the bare branches of the tree as if sighing in sadness, instead he only wants to be soothed by the breeze that has touched the young new leaves.
Batakrishna Dey 