Assamese singer Kalpana Patowary resurrects Bhojpuri Shakespeare

Indian folk music goes global, thanks to Bhojpuri singing sensation of Assamese origin, Kalapana Patowary with the launch of her new album The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur. Produced by EMI/Virgin records, the album is a tribute noted Bhojpuri litterateur Bhikhari Thakur. It was launched in Mauritius on the 4th of June 2012, by the country's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure Mr. Anil Kumar Bachoo and Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Minister of Arts and Culture.

The richness of Bhojpuri mores have perhaps been shadowed by the massive popularity of double meaning hip shakers, thanks to the competitive rating points driven entertainment industry. It therefore comes as a surprise when one of the most popular Bhojpuri vocalists decides to stream aside from the rat race and explore the lost works of Bhikhari Thakur, fondly known as Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature for his contribution to poetry and drama.

Assam born singer Kaplana Patowary has carved a mighty niche for herself in the entertainment industry having lent her vocals to a numerous Bhojpuri songs as well as Bollywood numbers including films like Billo Barber and De Dhana Dhan. Although she has a myriad of folk and popular songs to her credit, Bhojpuri music has been her most dedicated foray.

Born in 1887, Bhikhari Thakur’s creative sojourn began late in his life for he was an illiterate until quite a few decades of his life. He learnt the three Rs from a shopkeeper when he went to Calcutta following a family tradition of working in the city. The stark social and cultural variations of his village and Calcutta, as well as works of Raja Ram Mohan Roy inspired him to express his experiences through literature. On returning to his village Bhikhari Thakur formed Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali thus creating a theatre form called Bidesia. Unlike conventional poets and dramatists, Thakur’s work took a dig at the redundant ways and customs of the society of his. One of his most noted works includes the tale of a woman in a village whose husband leaves the village to work in a but she still has physical desires, so she gets involved with another man and has a child.

Inspired by the contemporary nature of Thakur’s writings, Kalpana felt a need to share his work with a present day global audience. It turned out to be a mammoth task as the material available on Bhikhari Thakur is negligible. Luckily her rendezvous with a 98 year old dancer from the Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali gave her a first person account of the experiences of Tahkur’s legend as well as well walked her through his works.

Titled The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur, Kalpana’s tribute to the Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature has nine melodious tracks, the lyrics of which were penned down by Thakur himself. His memorable poems on immigration and unemployment rendered by Kapalana's powerhouse vocals have been welcomed with warmth in many parts of the globe. It has been launched in France and Mauritius and a launch in is scheduled in the foreseeable future. It's comes as no surprise that EMI/Virgin Records has undertaken the risk of pricing this Bhojpuri album at Rs. 195. The Legacy of Bhikari Thakur takes Bhojpuri music from the masses to the classes.

- by Parmita Borah

Kindgom of Ghazals loses its King

After Jagjit Singh another golden voice has departed from the world of Ghazal with Mehdi Hassan's demise.

Mehdi Hassan (July 18, 1927 - June 13, 2012)

Born into a family of traditional musicians, Mehdi Hassan was the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant clan of musicians. He started performing at a young age and the first concert of 'dhrupad' and 'kheyal' with his elder brother is reported to have been held in Fazilka Bungla.

After the Partition of India, 20-year-old Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan and suffered severe financial hardships Mehdi started working in Chichawatni, in a bicycle shop. He later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic.Hassan's passion for music however was never deterred by his personal struggles. Hassan's struggles gradually ceased after receiving an the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan in 1957, primarily as a 'Thumri' singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity.

Mehdi Hassan is a recipient of multiple prestigious awards and honours: the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz granted to him by Gen Ayub Khan; the Pride of Performance bestowed on him by Gen Ziaul Haq; and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz conferred by Gen Pervez Musharraf. he received the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India, in 1979, and the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983.

This Indian born Pakistani Ghazal maestro breathed his last after battling with a prolonged illness on on 13 June 2012.

- by Parmita Borah

Ruskin Bond celebrates 25th anniversary of Penguin in Bangalore

Ruskin Bond at Landmark (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

Ruskin Bond, author of many widely sought after books, was at the Landmark store in Forum Mall, Bangalore, on June 6, 2012, to release his new book of poems "Hip Hop Nature Boy and Other Poems" published by Penguin Books India. The event "Meet Ruskin Bond at Landmark" was organised by Penguin Books and Landmark to celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.

With around 200 spectators, the event was grand and aesthetical. After the inauguration ceremony, the author cut a cake along with his favourite audience - children, recited a poem from the new book, answered few questions of his fans and signed autographs.

Ruskin Bond is an  Indian author of British descent born in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh in 1934. His first novel "The Room on the Roof", written when he was seventeen, received the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial prize in 1957. He received the Sahitya Academy award in 1993 and the Padma Shri in 1999. Presently he is staying in Landour, Mussoorie, with his extended family.

Ruskin Bond reciting a poem from his book Hip Hop Nature Boy and Other Poems (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

Audience asking questions to Ruskin Bond (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

- EFNI | Jim Ankan Deka