Lopamudra Mitra to perform for Maitree Bandhan

Lopamudra Mitra will perform on the Tolly Club lawns on February 23 for Maitree Bandhan, the India-Bangladesh Cultural Festival...
How does it feel to perform at “Maitree Bandhan Aage Chalo!”,The Times of India Indo-Bangladesh Cultural Festival?
Our political differences keep us apart but our culture keeps us united. Both countries are passionate about music, more so, when it comes to the Bard’s songs.I feel proud to be a part of this celebration, which will bridge the gap between borders. I wish more such initiatives take place in order to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Have you performed in Bangladesh?
Yes, on two to three occasions. I won accolades there for my style of Rabindrasangeet, which is far from traditional. What I liked is the appreciation from the youth there. They can relate more to Tagore’s songs than the GenY here.
What kind of respect do they have for artistes from Bengal?
They have unlimited respect, but I think, we respect them more. Do we ever feel that Bonnadi is a singer from Bangladesh? Never. Mone hoi Bonnadi toh amaderi.
Have you decided on your songs at the Festival?
I will be singing Tagore’s “Momo chittey”, “Phalgun haway”, some Toppa and Baul numbers. But like I said, I sing Rabindrasangeet without sticking to tradition. I will break away from the usual music arrangement which one is used to listening when it comes to Rabindrasangeet. For example, I will be using a musical instrument called djembe, which is generally not used in Tagore numbers. Presentation-wise also, it will be different as I will be standing with my musicians while performing.
What’s your favourite genre of Tagore songs?
Rabindranather premer gaan. He is the ultimate when it comes to love songs. When I sing the song “Acche dukho, acche mrityu”, I feel it is a song of love not death!
And your favourite love song?
Loads. It changes with my mood. But “Jodi prem dileh na praane” is my all time favourite.
Of late, Tagore’s songs are given a different spin in films...
It’s nice. But I had started singing Tagore songs in a different way back in 2001 in my album “Bishmaye” and then in “Anando”. Actually, Tagore is so modern that we can still re-arrange his music, keeping the tradition intact though, to match up with time and trend.
Name some promising singers from Kolkata who, you think, will do well in the coming years?
Somlata, Sukanya... there are so many. Their singing styles are completely different from singers from our generation and I like that.
What do you think is the fate of solo albums in Bengal?
The Bard’s solo albums still sell like hot cakes! Solo albums of modern Bengali songs are yet to create a dhamaka in the market. The merit of a singer, combined with marketing strategy plays an important role to make the artiste commercially successful.
Your last folk album, ‘Mon Phokira’, was quite a rage. When are you coming out with your next solo album?
I plan to bring out my next album of modern Bengali songs at the end of this year. I will be singing poems by Shakti Chattopadhyay, Joy Goswami, Sankho Ghosh and many more.
Many came to know that ‘Beni Madhob’ is a poem by Joy Goswami only after you sang that poem...
Eta Joydar jonne dukhher! I feel poetry is not for the masses. “Beni Madhob” a poem that transforms into something unique when set to tune. What I like is that with my songs, the audience gets to dance, which bear testimony to the fact that they enjoy my songs.
Why don’t you do playback for films?
I feel that my luck as a playback singer for films doesn’t click. I started doing playback from the film, “Sedin Choitromash”, but I guess, it’s my fate. Sadly, my image is to be blamed. Directors feel that Lopa can’t sing this song. But fact is, if I’m an artiste, I should be able to all kinds of songs. For Riingo’s “System”, I sang “Mahi re”. It was liked by all. A few days back, I recorded a song for Srijit Mukherji’s “The Hemlock Society”. I’m game for an item number too but the lyrics matter to me. I can’t give my nod for “Tui amar Koka kola”. If I get a chance to sing an item number like “Beedi jalaile”, I’m game!
Most of the performing artistes be it actors, singers, dancers, directors believe that with Mamata Banerjee as CM, the cultural scenario of Bengal is changing for the better. Your take.
Any change is positive. But only time will say how and to what extent the cultural scenario in Bengal is changing for the better