Legendary singer Manobendra Mukherjee is still alive in his romantic classical songs.

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

Manobendra Mukherjee made nazrulgeeti famous over a decade

Remembering Kazi Nazrul Islam by Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs. Poet, composer and singer Kazi Nazrul Islam is remembered on his death anniversary on 29th August, 2023. He was considered to be one of the greatest Bengali talents after Rabindranath Tagore who created songs and poetry during colonial period. He was in fact called bidrohi kobi, meaning rebel poet. Manobendra Mukherjee, the genius of Bengali classical songs had made Nazrul Islam immortal by singing more than 500 Nazrulgeeti during his lifetime. Manobendra Mukherjee died in 1992, but before that whatever records he made in nazrulgeeti still remains the Geeta for new singers who specialize in Nazrulgeeti. Some of the songs that people remember include “eto jol o kajol”. Manobendra showed his classical jugglery in the song “bou katha kou katha kao abhimanini”. The song which Manobendra Mukherjee sang in many concerts included “bagichay bulbuli”. The other song which was very popular in the 70s included “jare haat diye mala gethe”. The same song was also recorded by legendary singer Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty in his own andaz. Manobendra also was brilliant in the song “timir bidary”. Manobendra’s song “noyon bhora jol go tomar aanchol bhora chul” became extremely popular in 80s. His other hit songs included “jhumko lotar chikon”, “keno kaden poran”, “kache amar niba”, “saat bhai chompa”, “aso priyo aro kache”, “jani amar sadhona”, “amar noyone noyon”, “jabar belay fele”, “mor priya hobe”, “sondha se godhuli”, to name a few. Few of Manobendra’s songs had been sung one after the other by other musical giants. For example “sawono rate Jodi”, had been sung by Manobendra. It was also sung by Manna Dey in the film Devdas, where Uttam Kumar gave lips in the song. Besides Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “ado ado bol” was also recorded by genius singer Mohammad Rafi later on. One article is too small to highlight Manobendra Mukherjee’s landmark songs composed by Nazrul Islam, but along with Juthika Roy, Dhirendra Mitra, Firoza Begum, Kamal Dasgupta, Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified Nazrulgeeti in his own classical andaz. The songs should be preserved.

The romantic songs of Manobendra Mukherjee still remained immortal even today.

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

Manobendra Mukherjee contributed with romantic songs in bengali for more than 30 years

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

The stylish classical andaz of Manobendra Mukherjee brought revolution in Bengali modern songs.

Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes. Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs composed by himself. Manobendra Mukherjee had sung many landmark songs composed by the music directors of the golden age. The examples included “ami parini bujhite parini” composed by Salil Choudhury, “moyurkonthi ratero nile” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta, “tumi thako ami jai” composed Sailen Mukherjee, “seto naam dhore kono dino dakeni amay” composed by Dr. Nochiketa Ghosh, “birohini chiro birohini” composed by Himangshu Dutta, “jodi amake dekho tumi udashi” composed by Abhijit Banerjee, “oi chandrakala seto tomari moton shundor noi” composed by Anal Chatterjee, to name a few. While these songs created history, the songs composed by Manobendra Mukherjee himself flabbergasted the audience in the 1950s and 1960s. As he was gifted with classical touch, the songs composed by himself were raagastrito meaning depicted the movement of Hindustani ragas. One of his early compositions for himself titled “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” in early 1950s got huge response from the audience. Shyamal Gupta wrote the lyrics of the song. The other popular song of the 1950s included “ami eto je tomae bhalobesechi, tobu mone hoy e jeno go kichu noy, jeno aro bhalo besejete parena hridoy”. These songs became immortal. There were also songs which were pathos related composed by Manobendra himself. Some of them included “koto asha niye tumi esechile”, “sei bhalo ei bosonto noy”, to mention a few. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs based on orthodox ragas and catered to the interest of pure classical audience. Some of those songs included “bhalo lagena tumi na ele”, “ei moushumi mon shudhu rang badlae”, “rimjhim baje modiro bay”, to mention a few. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs for himself which were based on the ragas used by composers earlier. For example he was inspired a composition of Sudhirlal Chakravarty for him in the early 50s titled “ghumayona soheli go” which he later modified and made a song on the same raga titled “modhumalotiro bone legeche dol”. Both the songs were majestic. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs based on western andaz. His composition for himself titled “ami ke koto ekela tomari poth cheye cholechi”, “songi bihongi tumi je amar” had absolute western andaz. Even “ei ganga sei padda” had folk effect. It is difficult to rate both the types of songs and difficult to say whether Manobendra Mukherjee’s own compositions were better than other music-directors’s compositions. All the songs require serious restoration. Manobendra Mukherjee educated the audience in Nimai Bhattacharya interview in DD Bangla. In the late 1970s and 1980s when Doordarshan started operations, in DD Bangla a lot of brilliant interviews used to take place relating to great musical personalities. Nimai Bhattacharya took a brilliant interview of eminent singer Manobendra Mukherjee at that time. Manobendra Mukherjee died in the early 1990s and for those reasons the interview taken during late 1970s educate the audience a lot. Manobendra Mukherjee was a great speaker. He told Nimai Bhattacharya that his uncle Ratneshwar Mukherjee composed the tune of the song “nai chondon lekha sri radhar choke nai nai shemorai” in 1953. That was his first song. As far as film music was concerned, director Nirmal Dey took Manobendra Mukherjee to writer Tarashankar Banerjee who was writing the script of Uttam Kumar’s film Chadangar Bou. He asked Manobendra to compose a song. He composed the tune of a song relating to shiber gajon titled “shibo he shibo he”. Tarashankar Banerjee was impressed to such an extent that he agreed to keep Manobendra Mukherjee as the music director of the film. Manobendra Mukherjee in the interview had talked about himself winning national award for his song and music in Uttam Kumar’s film Jayjayanti. He also won the BFJA Award for the music of the film. He talked about all the legendary composers of the golden age. He sang two three lines of brilliant songs he sang on their compositions. He sang Sudhirlal Chakravarty composed song “ganero shure”, Robin Chatterjee’s “ei pranjhorona jaglo” and “surjo tomar prothom toron kholo”, Sudhin Dasgupta’s “moyurkonthi ratero nile”, Dr Nochiketa Ghosh’s “bone noy mone mor”, to name a few. He also talked about the great poets and lyricists Sailen Roy, Gouriprasanna Majumdar, Shyamal Gupta, Pabitra Mitra and others. He also talked about his capability of singing folk songs like Bhatiyali. He was asked by Dr Nochiketa Ghosh to sing the song “ore mon majhi tor boithare” in Uttam Kumar’s film Nabajanmo. Later when he heard Folk singer Nirmalendu Choudhury he thought folk songs could be sung with an even more louder and open voice. He also shared the ill luck that when he sang the song “dole dodul dole jhulona” in the film Deya Neya, the recordist told him to sing it not in a good manner, because the hero’s friend was supposed to give lips in the song. But Uttam Kumar came in the set and asked Manobendra to sing the song in the best way. His brother Tarun Kumar gave lips in the song and composer Shyamal Mitra composed the music of the film. He finished of the program by singing nazrul geeti based on Shyamkalyan raga, titled “sedin chiloje godhuli logon subhodristir por” and said he had completed 100 records of Nazrulgeeti at that time itself. From Manobendra’s words the common man got educated in music.

Classical giant Manobendra Mukherjee music was as brilliant as his songs.

Manobendra Mukherjee compositions in Bengali films and modern songs. Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified the world of Bengali classical music for more than 35 years. The entire 50s, 60s and 70s was designated as the golden age of Bengali modern songs and Manobendra Mukherjee’s individual performance as vocal classical singer require no special introduction. But his contribution as composer requires to be highlighted. Manobendra’s composition for himself in the 50s was unique. The romantic songs composed by him included “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore”, “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi”, “koto asha niye tumi esechile”, etc. Most of these songs stand out as the most romantic songs in the entire history of Bengali modern songs. The lyrics of Shyamal Gupta took the listeners to a different world of plutonic love. In the 60s, Manobendra Mukherjee continued with his majestic tunes most of which did great business in Bengal. Some of them had classical appeal including “na jeona modhu jamini”, “ei moshumi mon”, “sangi bihongi tumi je amar”, etc. His composition in films like Chapadangar Bou in 1954, Sanjher Pradeep in 1955, Mayamrigo in 1960, Bodhu in 1962, Godhuli Belai in 1966, Joy Jayanti in 1970, created by that period of time. But Manobendra Mukherjee’s composition for other leading singers of Bengal, both male and female, created sensation in the 50s, 60s and 70s. His landmark composition for Supriti Ghosh titled “gane gane ami je khuji tomay”, composition for Bani Ghoshal titled “kuasha ghera nil pahare” created sensation in the 50s. Manobendra Mukherjee’s composition for Alpona Banerjee titled “mon bolche sandhay kichu bolte tumi aasbe ki” and “tumi sundor bole tai to bondhu”, created sensation in the 60s. Manobendra gave melodious tune to Shefali Chakravarty titled “kemone janabo bolo e pranero bedona” having both classical and romantic tune. Manobendra Mukherjee gave folk tune to Tarun Banerjee in the song “champakoli go koto name dekechi tomay”. The list can go on. Manobendra Mukherjee was a sensation in the world of Bengali film music. He started his career with Uttam Kumar’s film Chapadangar Bau. In that film his own song “shibo he shibo he” surprised the viewers with Mahadev’s Gajan. In Mayamrigo he composed the songs “metidiamericar kabyo”, “bidhi re” with elegance. The songs were sung by himself. Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “bak bak bakum bakum paira”. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in Chabi Biswas’s film Badhu. The kirtan “gunamanir kalo rupe” sung by Manobendra Mukherjee flabbergasted the Bengali audience. Manobendra Mukherjee received BFJA and other words for his composition in Uttam Kumar’s film Jay Jayanti. Sandhya Mukherjee’s songs “amader chuti chute”, “aamra kono kichu korle”, etc. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in other films like Bosonto Choudhury’s film Kosti Pathar, Biswajeet Chatterjee’s film Godhuli Belay, other films like Sadhok Bamakhepa, Joto Maat Toto Path, Nidhiram Sardar, Sudhur Niharika, Sanjher Pradeep, etc. Manobendra’s creation requires to be unearthed. There are many melodious compositions of Manobendra made in the 50s, which had not been reprinted by HMV. If displayed, they can attract the new generation and entertain them.

Manobendra Mukherjee mohashoy made Nazrulgeeti very popular over a decade

Remembering Kazi Nazrul Islam by Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs. Poet, composer and singer Kazi Nazrul Islam is remembered on his death anniversary on 29th August, 2023. He was considered to be one of the greatest Bengali talents after Rabindranath Tagore who created songs and poetry during colonial period. He was in fact called bidrohi kobi, meaning rebel poet. Manobendra Mukherjee, the genius of Bengali classical songs had made Nazrul Islam immortal by singing more than 500 Nazrulgeeti during his lifetime. Manobendra Mukherjee died in 1992, but before that whatever records he made in nazrulgeeti still remains the Geeta for new singers who specialize in Nazrulgeeti. Some of the songs that people remember include “eto jol o kajol”. Manobendra showed his classical jugglery in the song “bou katha kou katha kao abhimanini”. The song which Manobendra Mukherjee sang in many concerts included “bagichay bulbuli”. The other song which was very popular in the 70s included “jare haat diye mala gethe”. The same song was also recorded by legendary singer Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty in his own andaz. Manobendra also was brilliant in the song “timir bidary”. Manobendra’s song “noyon bhora jol go tomar aanchol bhora chul” became extremely popular in 80s. His other hit songs included “jhumko lotar chikon”, “keno kaden poran”, “kache amar niba”, “saat bhai chompa”, “aso priyo aro kache”, “jani amar sadhona”, “amar noyone noyon”, “jabar belay fele”, “mor priya hobe”, “sondha se godhuli”, to name a few. Few of Manobendra’s songs had been sung one after the other by other musical giants. For example “sawono rate Jodi”, had been sung by Manobendra. It was also sung by Manna Dey in the film Devdas, where Uttam Kumar gave lips in the song. Besides Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “ado ado bol” was also recorded by genius singer Mohammad Rafi later on. One article is too small to highlight Manobendra Mukherjee’s landmark songs composed by Nazrul Islam, but along with Juthika Roy, Dhirendra Mitra, Firoza Begum, Kamal Dasgupta, Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified Nazrulgeeti in his own classical andaz. The songs should be preserved.

The romantic songs of romantic singer Manobendra Mukherjee spanned over 30 years

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

The stylish classical andaz of Manobendra Mukherjee made bengali modern songs very romantic

Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes. Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs composed by himself. Manobendra Mukherjee had sung many landmark songs composed by the music directors of the golden age. The examples included “ami parini bujhite parini” composed by Salil Choudhury, “moyurkonthi ratero nile” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta, “tumi thako ami jai” composed Sailen Mukherjee, “seto naam dhore kono dino dakeni amay” composed by Dr. Nochiketa Ghosh, “birohini chiro birohini” composed by Himangshu Dutta, “jodi amake dekho tumi udashi” composed by Abhijit Banerjee, “oi chandrakala seto tomari moton shundor noi” composed by Anal Chatterjee, to name a few. While these songs created history, the songs composed by Manobendra Mukherjee himself flabbergasted the audience in the 1950s and 1960s. As he was gifted with classical touch, the songs composed by himself were raagastrito meaning depicted the movement of Hindustani ragas. One of his early compositions for himself titled “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” in early 1950s got huge response from the audience. Shyamal Gupta wrote the lyrics of the song. The other popular song of the 1950s included “ami eto je tomae bhalobesechi, tobu mone hoy e jeno go kichu noy, jeno aro bhalo besejete parena hridoy”. These songs became immortal. There were also songs which were pathos related composed by Manobendra himself. Some of them included “koto asha niye tumi esechile”, “sei bhalo ei bosonto noy”, to mention a few. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs based on orthodox ragas and catered to the interest of pure classical audience. Some of those songs included “bhalo lagena tumi na ele”, “ei moushumi mon shudhu rang badlae”, “rimjhim baje modiro bay”, to mention a few. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs for himself which were based on the ragas used by composers earlier. For example he was inspired a composition of Sudhirlal Chakravarty for him in the early 50s titled “ghumayona soheli go” which he later modified and made a song on the same raga titled “modhumalotiro bone legeche dol”. Both the songs were majestic. At the same time Manobendra Mukherjee composed songs based on western andaz. His composition for himself titled “ami ke koto ekela tomari poth cheye cholechi”, “songi bihongi tumi je amar” had absolute western andaz. Even “ei ganga sei padda” had folk effect. It is difficult to rate both the types of songs and difficult to say whether Manobendra Mukherjee’s own compositions were better than other music-directors’s compositions. All the songs require serious restoration. Manobendra Mukherjee educated the audience in Nimai Bhattacharya interview in DD Bangla. In the late 1970s and 1980s when Doordarshan started operations, in DD Bangla a lot of brilliant interviews used to take place relating to great musical personalities. Nimai Bhattacharya took a brilliant interview of eminent singer Manobendra Mukherjee at that time. Manobendra Mukherjee died in the early 1990s and for those reasons the interview taken during late 1970s educate the audience a lot. Manobendra Mukherjee was a great speaker. He told Nimai Bhattacharya that his uncle Ratneshwar Mukherjee composed the tune of the song “nai chondon lekha sri radhar choke nai nai shemorai” in 1953. That was his first song. As far as film music was concerned, director Nirmal Dey took Manobendra Mukherjee to writer Tarashankar Banerjee who was writing the script of Uttam Kumar’s film Chadangar Bou. He asked Manobendra to compose a song. He composed the tune of a song relating to shiber gajon titled “shibo he shibo he”. Tarashankar Banerjee was impressed to such an extent that he agreed to keep Manobendra Mukherjee as the music director of the film. Manobendra Mukherjee in the interview had talked about himself winning national award for his song and music in Uttam Kumar’s film Jayjayanti. He also won the BFJA Award for the music of the film. He talked about all the legendary composers of the golden age. He sang two three lines of brilliant songs he sang on their compositions. He sang Sudhirlal Chakravarty composed song “ganero shure”, Robin Chatterjee’s “ei pranjhorona jaglo” and “surjo tomar prothom toron kholo”, Sudhin Dasgupta’s “moyurkonthi ratero nile”, Dr Nochiketa Ghosh’s “bone noy mone mor”, to name a few. He also talked about the great poets and lyricists Sailen Roy, Gouriprasanna Majumdar, Shyamal Gupta, Pabitra Mitra and others. He also talked about his capability of singing folk songs like Bhatiyali. He was asked by Dr Nochiketa Ghosh to sing the song “ore mon majhi tor boithare” in Uttam Kumar’s film Nabajanmo. Later when he heard Folk singer Nirmalendu Choudhury he thought folk songs could be sung with an even more louder and open voice. He also shared the ill luck that when he sang the song “dole dodul dole jhulona” in the film Deya Neya, the recordist told him to sing it not in a good manner, because the hero’s friend was supposed to give lips in the song. But Uttam Kumar came in the set and asked Manobendra to sing the song in the best way. His brother Tarun Kumar gave lips in the song and composer Shyamal Mitra composed the music of the film. He finished of the program by singing nazrul geeti based on Shyamkalyan raga, titled “sedin chiloje godhuli logon subhodristir por” and said he had completed 100 records of Nazrulgeeti at that time itself. From Manobendra’s words the common man got educated in music.

Legendary singer Manobendra Mukherjee mohashoy made nazrul geeti popular in Bengal.

Remembering Kazi Nazrul Islam by Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs. Poet, composer and singer Kazi Nazrul Islam is remembered on his death anniversary on 29th August, 2021. He was considered to be one of the greatest Bengali talents after Rabindranath Tagore who created songs and poetry during colonial period. He was in fact called bidrohi kobi, meaning rebel poet. Manobendra Mukherjee, the genius of Bengali classical songs had made Nazrul Islam immortal by singing more than 500 Nazrulgeeti during his lifetime. Manobendra Mukherjee died in 1992, but before that whatever records he made in nazrulgeeti still remains the Geeta for new singers who specialize in Nazrulgeeti. Some of the songs that people remember include “eto jol o kajol”. Manobendra showed his classical jugglery in the song “bou katha kou katha kao abhimanini”. The song which Manobendra Mukherjee sang in many concerts included “bagichay bulbuli”. The other song which was very popular in the 70s included “jare haat diye mala gethe”. The same song was also recorded by legendary singer Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty in his own andaz. Manobendra also was brilliant in the song “timir bidary”. Manobendra’s song “noyon bhora jol go tomar aanchol bhora chul” became extremely popular in 80s. His other hit songs included “jhumko lotar chikon”, “keno kaden poran”, “kache amar niba”, “saat bhai chompa”, “aso priyo aro kache”, “jani amar sadhona”, “amar noyone noyon”, “jabar belay fele”, “mor priya hobe”, “sondha se godhuli”, to name a few. Few of Manobendra’s songs had been sung one after the other by other musical giants. For example “sawono rate Jodi”, had been sung by Manobendra. It was also sung by Manna Dey in the film Devdas, where Uttam Kumar gave lips in the song. Besides Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “ado ado bol” was also recorded by genius singer Mohammad Rafi later on. One article is too small to highlight Manobendra Mukherjee’s landmark songs composed by Nazrul Islam, but along with Juthika Roy, Dhirendra Mitra, Firoza Begum, Kamal Dasgupta, Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified Nazrulgeeti in his own classical andaz. The songs should be preserved.

Manobendra Mukherjee compositions were as brilliant as his songs.

Manobendra Mukherjee compositions in Bengali films and modern songs. Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified the world of Bengali classical music for more than 35 years. The entire 50s, 60s and 70s was designated as the golden age of Bengali modern songs and Manobendra Mukherjee’s individual performance as vocal classical singer require no special introduction. But his contribution as composer requires to be highlighted. Manobendra’s composition for himself in the 50s was unique. The romantic songs composed by him included “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore”, “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi”, “koto asha niye tumi esechile”, etc. Most of these songs stand out as the most romantic songs in the entire history of Bengali modern songs. The lyrics of Shyamal Gupta took the listeners to a different world of plutonic love. In the 60s, Manobendra Mukherjee continued with his majestic tunes most of which did great business in Bengal. Some of them had classical appeal including “na jeona modhu jamini”, “ei moshumi mon”, “sangi bihongi tumi je amar”, etc. His composition in films like Chapadangar Bou in 1954, Sanjher Pradeep in 1955, Mayamrigo in 1960, Bodhu in 1962, Godhuli Belai in 1966, Joy Jayanti in 1970, created by that period of time. But Manobendra Mukherjee’s composition for other leading singers of Bengal, both male and female, created sensation in the 50s, 60s and 70s. His landmark composition for Supriti Ghosh titled “gane gane ami je khuji tomay”, composition for Bani Ghoshal titled “kuasha ghera nil pahare” created sensation in the 50s. Manobendra Mukherjee’s composition for Alpona Banerjee titled “mon bolche sandhay kichu bolte tumi aasbe ki” and “tumi sundor bole tai to bondhu”, created sensation in the 60s. Manobendra gave melodious tune to Shefali Chakravarty titled “kemone janabo bolo e pranero bedona” having both classical and romantic tune. Manobendra Mukherjee gave folk tune to Tarun Banerjee in the song “champakoli go koto name dekechi tomay”. The list can go on. Manobendra Mukherjee was a sensation in the world of Bengali film music. He started his career with Uttam Kumar’s film Chapadangar Bau. In that film his own song “shibo he shibo he” surprised the viewers with Mahadev’s Gajan. In Mayamrigo he composed the songs “metidiamericar kabyo”, “bidhi re” with elegance. The songs were sung by himself. Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “bak bak bakum bakum paira”. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in Chabi Biswas’s film Badhu. The kirtan “gunamanir kalo rupe” sung by Manobendra Mukherjee flabbergasted the Bengali audience. Manobendra Mukherjee received BFJA and other words for his composition in Uttam Kumar’s film Jay Jayanti. Sandhya Mukherjee’s songs “amader chuti chute”, “aamra kono kichu korle”, etc. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in other films like Bosonto Choudhury’s film Kosti Pathar, Biswajeet Chatterjee’s film Godhuli Belay, other films like Sadhok Bamakhepa, Joto Maat Toto Path, Nidhiram Sardar, Sudhur Niharika, Sanjher Pradeep, etc. Manobendra’s creation requires to be unearthed. There are many melodious compositions of Manobendra made in the 50s, which had not been reprinted by HMV. If displayed, they can attract the new generation and entertain them.

Legendary singer Manobendra Mukherjee sang romantic modern songs for more than 30 years.

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

Manobendra Mukherjee and bengali film songs.

Bengali cinema for the last 10 years, have relied on music composed by music directors of Bombay and singers of bollywood films. Mostly composers like Bappi Lahiri, Shantonu Moitra, and singers like Kumar Shanu, Babul Supriyo, Abhijeet are brought from Bombay and contribute for the Bengali cinema. There are Bengali composers like Jeet Ganguly but they also rely on the voices of Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjaywala. There was an age (the 50s and 60s) when Bengali film industry was self-sufficient and did not have to borrow singers from bollywood industry. Manobendra Mukherjee belonged to such an elite class who could sing any type of song ranging from pure classical numbers to folk songs, to nazrulgeeti, to westernized songs. In 1954, Manobendra Mukherjee started his innings as music director in Bengali films with Uttam Kumar’s film Chapadangar Bou. He sang Mahadev’s gajon (a type of devotional song) titled “shibo he shibo he” which was picturised on Uttam Kumar and became very successful. Manobendra’s kirtan in Uttam Kumar’s film Shanjher Prodeep released in 1955 also became extremely popular. Manobendra was brilliant by every musical standard in the film Nilachole Mahaprobhu which was based on the life of Lord Chaitanya. Composer Raichand Boral made Manobendra sing a number of kirtans including “jagannath jagatbacndhu” which became superhit. The film was released in 1957 and mesmerized the Bengali audience with cult songs. During that time composer Ghyan Prakash Ghosh used Manobendra Mukherjee for pure classical numbers like “andhare”. Bosonto Choudhury played the main role in the film. Noted composer Anil Bagchi experimented with classical numbers in Chabi Biswas’s epic film Shashibabur Sangsar. The song “rojoni pohale sojoni kothaye” was very successful and Bosonto Choudhury gave able lips on Manobendra’s song in the film. In the mid-50s, composer Nochiketa Ghosh experimented with folk songs in the film Nabajanma. Uttam Kumar gave brilliant lips in Manobendra’s song titled “ore monmajhi” which was based on Bengali folk song titled bhatiayali. Manobendra was sublime in Bosonto Choudhury’s film Kostipathor. The song “kal se phakir aaj se raha” showed Manobendra’s skills in singing light songs. In the 60s Manobendra stormed Bengali films as a versatile composer. All the songs composed in Biswajeet’s film Mayamrigo became superhit, including Manobendra’s own song “metidiamerikar kabyo”, “bidhire”, Hemanta Mukherjee’s song “ore son son geroraj”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “bok bok bok bokum bokum payera”. Similarly all the songs composed by Manobendra Mukherjee in Chabi Biswas’s legendary film Badhu, were well appreciated by the learned audience including Manobendra’s own kirtan “gunimon kalorupe”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “sonali megher din”, etc. Manobendra’s composition in the film Godhuli Belai was equally brilliant with the title song “godhuli belai” picturised on Biswajeet. Probably Joy Joyanti, marked the best creation of Manobendra Mukherjee which fetched him Indira Gandhi award for remarkable music composition. The film was based on Hollywood film Sound of Music. Sandhya Mukherjee’s songs in the film “amader chuti chuti”, “kiholo karo je mukhe kotha phote na”, etc., were landmarks in Bengali film music. Besides, many composers had given their most dynamic compositions to Manobendra. The best example can be the film Lalu Bhulu. The film was released in 1958. Lyricist Sailen Roy and composer Robin Chatterji gave probably the best songs ever in the film. All the songs sung by Manobendra mukherjee like “ei pranjhorona jaglo”, “akash mor alloy decho bhore”, “jar hiya akasher neel nilimai”, “dukkho amar shesh kore dao probhu”, “dukher pothe naamli Jodi”, etc., had class, variety and depicted the helplessness of two blind and handicapped boys who sang songs to earn their livelihood. In fact Lalu Bhulu’s songs were inspiration for lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, composer Laxmikant Pyarellal and singer Mohammad Rafi, who created songs of their lifetime in the film Dosti which was the hindi adaptation of Bengali film Lalubhulu. Some of Manobendra’s songs like “dole dodul dole jhulona” in Uttam Kumar’s film Deya Neya are still popular even today. Manobendra’s composition in films like Joto Mot Tato Poth, Sudur Niharika, Sadhok Bamakhepa, caught both the classical base and devotional flavor of Bengali music. It is a pity that Manobendra Mukherjee, with all his classical talent and depth, did not go to bollywood like Manna Dey, otherwise Bengal could have been represented on a larger scale by the meritorious singer and composer whose style and elegance in modern songs was compared with stylish andaz of Australian batsman Neil Harvey. Bengali films these days lack the brilliance of classical singers and composers like Manobendra Mukherjee who are born once in a decade. The songs and the films should be restored for their aesthetic value. The songs should be unearthed and publicly played as well.

Manobendra Mukherjee and bengali film songs.

Bengali cinema for the last 10 years, have relied on music composed by music directors of Bombay and singers of bollywood films. Mostly composers like Bappi Lahiri, Shantonu Moitra, and singers like Kumar Shanu, Babul Supriyo, Abhijeet are brought from Bombay and contribute for the Bengali cinema. There are Bengali composers like Jeet Ganguly but they also rely on the voices of Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjaywala. There was an age (the 50s and 60s) when Bengali film industry was self-sufficient and did not have to borrow singers from bollywood industry. Manobendra Mukherjee belonged to such an elite class who could sing any type of song ranging from pure classical numbers to folk songs, to nazrulgeeti, to westernized songs. In 1954, Manobendra Mukherjee started his innings as music director in Bengali films with Uttam Kumar’s film Chapadangar Bou. He sang Mahadev’s gajon (a type of devotional song) titled “shibo he shibo he” which was picturised on Uttam Kumar and became very successful. Manobendra’s kirtan in Uttam Kumar’s film Shanjher Prodeep released in 1955 also became extremely popular. Manobendra was brilliant by every musical standard in the film Nilachole Mahaprobhu which was based on the life of Lord Chaitanya. Composer Raichand Boral made Manobendra sing a number of kirtans including “jagannath jagatbacndhu” which became superhit. The film was released in 1957 and mesmerized the Bengali audience with cult songs. During that time composer Ghyan Prakash Ghosh used Manobendra Mukherjee for pure classical numbers like “andhare”. Bosonto Choudhury played the main role in the film. Noted composer Anil Bagchi experimented with classical numbers in Chabi Biswas’s epic film Shashibabur Sangsar. The song “rojoni pohale sojoni kothaye” was very successful and Bosonto Choudhury gave able lips on Manobendra’s song in the film. In the mid-50s, composer Nochiketa Ghosh experimented with folk songs in the film Nabajanma. Uttam Kumar gave brilliant lips in Manobendra’s song titled “ore monmajhi” which was based on Bengali folk song titled bhatiayali. Manobendra was sublime in Bosonto Choudhury’s film Kostipathor. The song “kal se phakir aaj se raha” showed Manobendra’s skills in singing light songs. In the 60s Manobendra stormed Bengali films as a versatile composer. All the songs composed in Biswajeet’s film Mayamrigo became superhit, including Manobendra’s own song “metidiamerikar kabyo”, “bidhire”, Hemanta Mukherjee’s song “ore son son geroraj”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “bok bok bok bokum bokum payera”. Similarly all the songs composed by Manobendra Mukherjee in Chabi Biswas’s legendary film Badhu, were well appreciated by the learned audience including Manobendra’s own kirtan “gunimon kalorupe”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “sonali megher din”, etc. Manobendra’s composition in the film Godhuli Belai was equally brilliant with the title song “godhuli belai” picturised on Biswajeet. Probably Joy Joyanti, marked the best creation of Manobendra Mukherjee which fetched him Indira Gandhi award for remarkable music composition. The film was based on Hollywood film Sound of Music. Sandhya Mukherjee’s songs in the film “amader chuti chuti”, “kiholo karo je mukhe kotha phote na”, etc., were landmarks in Bengali film music. Besides, many composers had given their most dynamic compositions to Manobendra. The best example can be the film Lalu Bhulu. The film was released in 1958. Lyricist Sailen Roy and composer Robin Chatterji gave probably the best songs ever in the film. All the songs sung by Manobendra mukherjee like “ei pranjhorona jaglo”, “akash mor alloy decho bhore”, “jar hiya akasher neel nilimai”, “dukkho amar shesh kore dao probhu”, “dukher pothe naamli Jodi”, etc., had class, variety and depicted the helplessness of two blind and handicapped boys who sang songs to earn their livelihood. In fact Lalu Bhulu’s songs were inspiration for lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, composer Laxmikant Pyarellal and singer Mohammad Rafi, who created songs of their lifetime in the film Dosti which was the hindi adaptation of Bengali film Lalubhulu. Some of Manobendra’s songs like “dole dodul dole jhulona” in Uttam Kumar’s film Deya Neya are still popular even today. Manobendra’s composition in films like Joto Mot Tato Poth, Sudur Niharika, Sadhok Bamakhepa, caught both the classical base and devotional flavor of Bengali music. It is a pity that Manobendra Mukherjee, with all his classical talent and depth, did not go to bollywood like Manna Dey, otherwise Bengal could have been represented on a larger scale by the meritorious singer and composer whose style and elegance in modern songs was compared with stylish andaz of Australian batsman Neil Harvey. Bengali films these days lack the brilliance of classical singers and composers like Manobendra Mukherjee who are born once in a decade. The songs and the films should be restored for their aesthetic value. The songs should be unearthed and publicly played as well.

Manobendra Mukherjee and Nazrulgeeti.

Remembering Kazi Nazrul Islam by Manobendra Mukherjee’s songs. Poet, composer and singer Kazi Nazrul Islam is remembered on his death anniversary on 29th August, 2017. He was considered to be one of the greatest Bengali talents after Rabindranath Tagore who created songs and poetry during colonial period. He was in fact called bidrohi kobi, meaning rebel poet. Manobendra Mukherjee, the genius of Bengali classical songs had made Nazrul Islam immortal by singing more than 500 Nazrulgeeti during his lifetime. Manobendra Mukherjee died in 1992, but before that whatever records he made in nazrulgeeti still remains the Geeta for new singers who specialize in Nazrulgeeti. Some of the songs that people remember include “eto jol o kajol”. Manobendra showed his classical jugglery in the song “bou katha kou katha kao abhimanini”. The song which Manobendra Mukherjee sang in many concerts included “bagichay bulbuli”. The other song which was very popular in the 70s included “jare haat diye mala gethe”. The same song was also recorded by legendary singer Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty in his own andaz. Manobendra also was brilliant in the song “timir bidary”. Manobendra’s song “noyon bhora jol go tomar aanchol bhora chul” became extremely popular in 80s. His other hit songs included “jhumko lotar chikon”, “keno kaden poran”, “kache amar niba”, “saat bhai chompa”, “aso priyo aro kache”, “jani amar sadhona”, “amar noyone noyon”, “jabar belay fele”, “mor priya hobe”, “sondha se godhuli”, to name a few. Few of Manobendra’s songs had been sung one after the other by other musical giants. For example “sawono rate Jodi”, had been sung by Manobendra. It was also sung by Manna Dey in the film Devdas, where Uttam Kumar gave lips in the song. Besides Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “ado ado bol” was also recorded by genius singer Mohammad Rafi later on. One article is too small to highlight Manobendra Mukherjee’s landmark songs composed by Nazrul Islam, but along with Juthika Roy, Dhirendra Mitra, Firoza Begum, Kamal Dasgupta, Manobendra Mukherjee had glorified Nazrulgeeti in his own classical andaz. The songs should be preserved.

Bengali film songs and Manobendra Mukherjee.

Bengali cinema for the last 10 years, have relied on music composed by music directors of Bombay and singers of bollywood films. Mostly composers like Bappi Lahiri, Shantonu Moitra, and singers like Kumar Shanu, Babul Supriyo, Abhijeet are brought from Bombay and contribute for the Bengali cinema. There are Bengali composers like Jeet Ganguly but they also rely on the voices of Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjaywala. There was an age (the 50s and 60s) when Bengali film industry was self-sufficient and did not have to borrow singers from bollywood industry. Manobendra Mukherjee belonged to such an elite class who could sing any type of song ranging from pure classical numbers to folk songs, to nazrulgeeti, to westernized songs. In 1954, Manobendra Mukherjee started his innings as music director in Bengali films with Uttam Kumar’s film Chapadangar Bou. He sang Mahadev’s gajon (a type of devotional song) titled “shibo he shibo he” which was picturised on Uttam Kumar and became very successful. Manobendra’s kirtan in Uttam Kumar’s film Shanjher Prodeep released in 1955 also became extremely popular. Manobendra was brilliant by every musical standard in the film Nilachole Mahaprobhu which was based on the life of Lord Chaitanya. Composer Raichand Boral made Manobendra sing a number of kirtans including “jagannath jagatbacndhu” which became superhit. The film was released in 1957 and mesmerized the Bengali audience with cult songs. During that time composer Ghyan Prakash Ghosh used Manobendra Mukherjee for pure classical numbers like “andhare”. Bosonto Choudhury played the main role in the film. Noted composer Anil Bagchi experimented with classical numbers in Chabi Biswas’s epic film Shashibabur Sangsar. The song “rojoni pohale sojoni kothaye” was very successful and Bosonto Choudhury gave able lips on Manobendra’s song in the film. In the mid-50s, composer Nochiketa Ghosh experimented with folk songs in the film Nabajanma. Uttam Kumar gave brilliant lips in Manobendra’s song titled “ore monmajhi” which was based on Bengali folk song titled bhatiayali. Manobendra was sublime in Bosonto Choudhury’s film Kostipathor. The song “kal se phakir aaj se raha” showed Manobendra’s skills in singing light songs. In the 60s Manobendra stormed Bengali films as a versatile composer. All the songs composed in Biswajeet’s film Mayamrigo became superhit, including Manobendra’s own song “metidiamerikar kabyo”, “bidhire”, Hemanta Mukherjee’s song “ore son son geroraj”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “bok bok bok bokum bokum payera”. Similarly all the songs composed by Manobendra Mukherjee in Chabi Biswas’s legendary film Badhu, were well appreciated by the learned audience including Manobendra’s own kirtan “gunimon kalorupe”, Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “sonali megher din”, etc. Manobendra’s composition in the film Godhuli Belai was equally brilliant with the title song “godhuli belai” picturised on Biswajeet. Probably Joy Joyanti, marked the best creation of Manobendra Mukherjee which fetched him Indira Gandhi award for remarkable music composition. The film was based on Hollywood film Sound of Music. Sandhya Mukherjee’s songs in the film “amader chuti chuti”, “kiholo karo je mukhe kotha phote na”, etc., were landmarks in Bengali film music. Besides, many composers had given their most dynamic compositions to Manobendra. The best example can be the film Lalu Bhulu. The film was released in 1958. Lyricist Sailen Roy and composer Robin Chatterji gave probably the best songs ever in the film. All the songs sung by Manobendra mukherjee like “ei pranjhorona jaglo”, “akash mor alloy decho bhore”, “jar hiya akasher neel nilimai”, “dukkho amar shesh kore dao probhu”, “dukher pothe naamli Jodi”, etc., had class, variety and depicted the helplessness of two blind and handicapped boys who sang songs to earn their livelihood. In fact Lalu Bhulu’s songs were inspiration for lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, composer Laxmikant Pyarellal and singer Mohammad Rafi, who created songs of their lifetime in the film Dosti which was the hindi adaptation of Bengali film Lalubhulu. Some of Manobendra’s songs like “dole dodul dole jhulona” in Uttam Kumar’s film Deya Neya are still popular even today. Manobendra’s composition in films like Joto Mot Tato Poth, Sudur Niharika, Sadhok Bamakhepa, caught both the classical base and devotional flavor of Bengali music. It is a pity that Manobendra Mukherjee, with all his classical talent and depth, did not go to bollywood like Manna Dey, otherwise Bengal could have been represented on a larger scale by the meritorious singer and composer whose style and elegance in modern songs was compared with stylish andaz of Australian batsman Neil Harvey. Bengali films these days lack the brilliance of classical singers and composers like Manobendra Mukherjee who are born once in a decade. The songs and the films should be restored for their aesthetic value. The songs should be unearthed and publicly played as well.

Classic based andaz of Manobendra Mukherjee has remained immortal for music lovers.

Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

Manobendra Mukherjee had immense contribution to classical bengali modern songs.

Manobendra Mukherjee and stylish classical Bengali songs. Manobendra Mukherjee was one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal who had simplified classical ragas and used them in Bengali modern songs. His romantic song “ami eto je tomay bhalobesechi” written by Shyamal Gupta and composed by himself had classical touch embedded in it. His other own composed song “emni kore porbe mone baki jibon dhore” was also a masterpiece related to classical andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee’s pure classical numbers were even more melodious. One example is “ei moushumi mon shudhu rong bodlay”. In this song there was a small alaap or khanak taken at the place “mori je hay” where Manobendra had used the sargam by uttering in “aa aa” form. It was brilliant. There were other romantic songs like “boroshaklanto o duti nayan mele”. The song had been composed by Anal Chatterji. Manobendra Mukherjee had another master piece “bolo raat bolo se kothay”. The song was totally raga oriented. Manobendra Mukherjee was sublime in the song “ei nil nil jal sagore” composed by Probir Mojumdar and “tomar pather prante moner monidip jele rekhechi” composed by Satinath Mukherjee. Some of his own compositions like “ei ganga sei padda” and “sei bhalo ei bosonto noi” had absolute romantic andaz. Manobendra Mukherjee had given adequate expression to songs composed by Himangshu Dutta including “birohini chiro birohini”, “tumi je andhar”, “biroho barisha”, etc. The songs were difficult in nature and Manobendra was probably the most classically trained singer to do justice to them. Manobendra had also sung some of the songs created in thumri style. One example was “koto je soyechi betha” composed by Chinmoy Lahiri. One more classical number included “tumi to dariye acho”. Articles after articles can be devoted to Manobendra Mukherjee whose classical touch was as elegant and stylish as Neil Harvey’s wristy strokes.

The first flavour of Durga Puja comes with Mahishashur Mardini in All India Radio.

Mahalaya marks the beginning of Durga Puja all over the world. Mahalaya held every year, marks the beginning of Durga Puja all over the world. For bengalies in Mahalaya pritripakha ends, debipakha begins. On the same day, people go to the holy ganges to do tarpan, that is pay respect to the departed souls of father and ancestors. Different types of tarpans are done on the day including pitri tarpan, matri tarpan, deb tarpan, etc. Durga Puja is the puja of Asurdalani Maa Durga, who had defeated the evil forces (mahashahura) and brought peace and solidarity in the earth. All India Radio had a played a very important role in depicting the story of Mahalaya every year in the early morning. Mahishashur Mordini had been eternal creation of Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Bani Kumar and Pankaj Mullick. The way Birendra Krishna Bhadra had uttered the slokas “ya devi sarbabhuteshu shaktirupenu samhastita, namasthaswai namasthaswai namasthaswai namoh namohah”, he created an enchanting atmosphere, and devotees started feeling that they were in heaven. The other great part of Mahishashur Mordini was the great songs sung by legendary Bengali singers of the golden age, namely “taba achinto “ sung by Manobendra Mukherjee, “jago tumi jago” sung by Dwijen Mukherjee, and many songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee, Suprava Sarkar, Supriti Ghosh, Shyamal Mitra and other legends. These days a lot of programs are held in television to depict mohishashur mordini in television. For example in Zee Bangla channel on 15th October, 2012, Srabanti Chatterjee and Shubhashree are going to play the role of Sati in Satir Ekanno Peeth in the play related to Mahishashur Mordini. But the importance of mohishashur mordini in All India Radio cannot be replaced. It is a historical piece of creation and should be restored. In the new durga puja in 2012, it is expected that everyone in every part of the world should enjoy Durgapuja in their own way. Mahishashur Mordini is the best creation of All India Radio. For Bengalies the greatest festival of the year include Durga Puja. The flavor of the festival is set up by Mahalaya which occurs seven days before the occasion. Mohishahshur Mordini had not lost its appeal even after 60 years of its creation. It is played in All India Radio on the morning of every Mahalaya each year. In 2012 it was also played and it enchanted numerous bengalies all across the world. The mantra in the entire play was uttered by Birendra Krishna Bhadra who became a living legend in the early 50s. He conducted all the important programs in All India Radio from Kolkata at a time when Television did not appear in India and Radio was the only medium of entertainment. From Mahalaya the Petripaksha ends and Devipaksha begins. Hindus all over the world worship Goddess Durga and the occasion lies for four days including Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. On Dashami Goddess Durga is immersed in holy Ganges. Mahalay is the day when Hindus do tarpan in the Ganges to remember the ancestors who had died but were still attached with the next generation. When Birendra Bhadra directed Mohishashur Mordini, the tale relating to Goddess Durga defeating the devil powers under the name of Mohishahur, Singer Pankaj Mallick and Bani Kumar also made notable contribution to bring in all the legendary singers of Bengal and made them sing significant songs. For example Manobendra Mukherjee sang “tabo achinto”, Dijen Mukherjee sang “jago tumi jago”, Supriti Ghosh’s “bajlo tomar alor benu”. The other singers included Sipra Bose, Suprava Sarkar, Sandhya Mukherjee, Shaymal Mitra, Utpala Sen, Pratima Banerjee, Pannalal Bhattacharya and others. Birendra Bhadra was unparallel in the manner in which he pronounced the Sanskrit sloks, which could not be replicated and when Uttam Kumar that greatest superstar of Bengal tried to do it, he was criticized and All India Radio again displayed the Mohishashur Mordini directed by Birendra Bhadra. Even Hindus across India celebrate Navratri and Dussehra based on the success of God in defeating evil powers. Even today Bengalies feel that it creates a Godly atmosphere and gives the feeling that Goddess Durga had really arrived on earth. These days a lot of programs are held in television to depict mohishashur mordini in television. For example in Zee Bangla channel on 15th October, 2012, Srabanti Chatterjee and Shubhashree are going to play the role of Sati in Satir Ekanno Peeth in the play related to Mahishashur Mordini. But the importance of mohishashur mordini in All India Radio cannot be replaced. It is a historical piece of creation and should be restored.

Mohishashur Mordini in All India Radio has significance in Mahalaya.

Mahalaya marks the beginning of Durga Puja all over the world. Mahalaya held every year, marks the beginning of Durga Puja all over the world. For bengalies in Mahalaya pritripakha ends, debipakha begins. On the same day, people go to the holy ganges to do tarpan, that is pay respect to the departed souls of father and ancestors. Different types of tarpans are done on the day including pitri tarpan, matri tarpan, deb tarpan, etc. Durga Puja is the puja of Asurdalani Maa Durga, who had defeated the evil forces (mahashahura) and brought peace and solidarity in the earth. All India Radio had a played a very important role in depicting the story of Mahalaya every year in the early morning. Mahishashur Mordini had been eternal creation of Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Bani Kumar and Pankaj Mullick. The way Birendra Krishna Bhadra had uttered the slokas “ya devi sarbabhuteshu shaktirupenu samhastita, namasthaswai namasthaswai namasthaswai namoh namohah”, he created an enchanting atmosphere, and devotees started feeling that they were in heaven. The other great part of Mahishashur Mordini was the great songs sung by legendary Bengali singers of the golden age, namely “taba achinto “ sung by Manobendra Mukherjee, “jago tumi jago” sung by Dwijen Mukherjee, and many songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee, Suprava Sarkar, Supriti Ghosh, Shyamal Mitra and other legends. These days a lot of programs are held in television to depict mohishashur mordini in television. For example in Zee Bangla channel on 15th October, 2012, Srabanti Chatterjee and Shubhashree are going to play the role of Sati in Satir Ekanno Peeth in the play related to Mahishashur Mordini. But the importance of mohishashur mordini in All India Radio cannot be replaced. It is a historical piece of creation and should be restored. In the new durga puja in 2012, it is expected that everyone in every part of the world should enjoy Durgapuja in their own way. Mahishashur Mordini is the best creation of All India Radio. For Bengalies the greatest festival of the year include Durga Puja. The flavor of the festival is set up by Mahalaya which occurs seven days before the occasion. Mohishahshur Mordini had not lost its appeal even after 60 years of its creation. It is played in All India Radio on the morning of every Mahalaya each year. In 2012 it was also played and it enchanted numerous bengalies all across the world. The mantra in the entire play was uttered by Birendra Krishna Bhadra who became a living legend in the early 50s. He conducted all the important programs in All India Radio from Kolkata at a time when Television did not appear in India and Radio was the only medium of entertainment. From Mahalaya the Petripaksha ends and Devipaksha begins. Hindus all over the world worship Goddess Durga and the occasion lies for four days including Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. On Dashami Goddess Durga is immersed in holy Ganges. Mahalay is the day when Hindus do tarpan in the Ganges to remember the ancestors who had died but were still attached with the next generation. When Birendra Bhadra directed Mohishashur Mordini, the tale relating to Goddess Durga defeating the devil powers under the name of Mohishahur, Singer Pankaj Mallick and Bani Kumar also made notable contribution to bring in all the legendary singers of Bengal and made them sing significant songs. For example Manobendra Mukherjee sang “tabo achinto”, Dijen Mukherjee sang “jago tumi jago”, Supriti Ghosh’s “bajlo tomar alor benu”. The other singers included Sipra Bose, Suprava Sarkar, Sandhya Mukherjee, Shaymal Mitra, Utpala Sen, Pratima Banerjee, Pannalal Bhattacharya and others. Birendra Bhadra was unparallel in the manner in which he pronounced the Sanskrit sloks, which could not be replicated and when Uttam Kumar that greatest superstar of Bengal tried to do it, he was criticized and All India Radio again displayed the Mohishashur Mordini directed by Birendra Bhadra. Even Hindus across India celebrate Navratri and Dussehra based on the success of God in defeating evil powers. Even today Bengalies feel that it creates a Godly atmosphere and gives the feeling that Goddess Durga had really arrived on earth. These days a lot of programs are held in television to depict mohishashur mordini in television. For example in Zee Bangla channel on 15th October, 2012, Srabanti Chatterjee and Shubhashree are going to play the role of Sati in Satir Ekanno Peeth in the play related to Mahishashur Mordini. But the importance of mohishashur mordini in All India Radio cannot be replaced. It is a historical piece of creation and should be restored.