Krishnokoli
An artiste bares her soul…
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Bengal Music releases two albums
Bengal Music released two brand new albums. In addition, almost all the listeners believed that it was not just a regular release. It was a cautionary signal to all others who are producing and releasing below standard albums. It was a wake up call to those conventional moneymaking producers to bring out creative albums with soulful lyrics and tasteful tunes.
The event released compilations of Kazi Krishnakali Islam titled ‘Shurje Badhi Basha’ and Tanveer Alam Shajib’s ‘Bari Kothay Balo’ at Hotel Abakash on Sunday.
The name Krishnakali immediately reminded me of the song Krishnokoli ami tarey boli…. Not only did she have the charm of the imaginary belle in that ballad but also her deep and atmospheric vocals captured the very essence of rivers of rhythm - an ambience of fulfilment.
When she performed her first track singing Aaj jhor bhalobasha, anande bheshe jawa….Dubi Dubi, bheshe uthi from the album, live for the invited guests; for many, it was that sinking feeling! Moreover, she was easily labelled as a stand-alone singer - one whose vocals complements the instrumentation rather than vice versa.
Her mesmerising performance of the track ‘Hatath rod’ was not only very humble but the lyric was so moving that it literally released bursts of ecstatic feelings.
Professor Doctor Liaquat Ali, speaking on the occasion described Krishnakali’s songs rich in well-crafted lyrics, magnetic vocal tunes, and elegant composition. He recalled the memory of being deeply moved the first time listening to the songs.
Next on-stage was Shajib with his debut album. His performance was as hugely applauded. The song Palabi Pala’s live performance was so enjoyable that it reminded the listeners of the famous drama artiste Shankar Shawjal’s comment about Shajib – his songs seeks original roots and depicts true cultural tradition.
An artiste bares her soul : Krishnokoli’s debut album ‘Shurjey Bandhi Basha’
Kazi Krishnokoli Islam aka Krishnokoli is not new to the creative sphere. Born and raised in Khulna, she was introduced to the world of music by her mother, Meherun Nesa. Krishnokoli trained under Shadhon Ghosh (Tagore songs) and Basudeb Biswas (classical music). She enrolled in Chhayanat in 1998 and was a student in the Rabindra Sangeet Department for three years. Currently, the artiste works in the audio-visual media. She is working on a script for a TV play and writing, composing two songs for a film.
Krishnokoli’s debut album Shurjey Bandhi Basha, produced under the banner of Bengal Music Company Ltd, was launched recently. All songs in the album have been written, composed and performed by Krishnokoli; music arranged and mixed by Ornob.
Dedicating the album to her mother, the artiste hints at why she decided to call her album Shurjey bandhi Basha. In her childhood naiveté, she used to ask her mother what becomes of people after death and her mother used to say they become stars in the sky. When she asked what her mother would become, the response was: “I’d be the sun.”
The highpoint of the album are the lyrics. Krishnokoli’s grip over articulating her childhood adventures, endless fascination with nature, experiencing solitude and yearning for that elusive euphoria, have resulted in eight beautiful songs. They are more like poetry. Poetry that effortlessly walks on tunes and weaves sublime imagery.
The opening song Dubi dubi takes one back to the carefree days of childhood. Those who were fortunate enough to grow up outside the concrete jungles, would relate to the artiste’s experience. As Krishnokoli reminisces: “…Swimming in the deep pond, I used to feel like a mermaid…My dark complexion would often let me down, yet (I) used to believe I was just as pretty as nature.”
Bodhua takes the listener to the Sal forests, in the Santali domain. Unmistakable elements of the ‘Jhumur’ genre are intoxicating and so are the words: Jonak joley chikmik chikmik korey, buk-er modhdhey jhod othey… Enunciation of the “chikmik chikmik” would make one fall for with this number.
Melancholy strums of guitar set the mood for Shatkahon. The song turns from pleasant to remarkable in the last stanza: Beder nouko bandha-Mohuar dol, bukey chuuri mukhey hashi chokhey nei chhol…
Hant-tey hant-tey is a song for the lonesome way-weary. The state of solitude and juggling random thoughts are articulated through Hant-tey hant-tey ekta nudi, thuk-tey thuk-tey jachhey duurei, bhabnagulo goragori, khachhey mathaye khachhey badi…
The album ends with Bhalobesho ekbar — perhaps the artiste’s ode to her mother. Krishnokoli breaths life into words: Chhuey chhuey dekho amar e haad, chhuey chhuey shekho e ki…chokh diyechhi priyo bondhu, shey chokhey dekho prithibir roop e ki… Her mother’s eyes and body (for medical studies) were donated.
Some may compare Krishnokoli’s songs to those of Moushumi Bhowmick or Lopamudra Mitra. However, it wouldn’t be fair to unnecessarily judge or label these songs in which the artiste has bared her soul to the audience. Ornob’s deft music arrangement deserves a special mention for complementing the lyrics and not overshadow them.
by Karim Waheed
