Folk singer’s dream visit wins fans

Jamshedpur, April 23: This may have been her maiden performance in Jamshedpur, but Chandana Mazumdar Roy, the popular folk star from Bangladesh who was here to perform at the United Club this Saturday as part of the Bengali New Year’s celebrations, is already familiar with the city.

“I grew up listening to stories about Jamshedpur. My grandfather worked here with Tata Steel and my father was born and brought up here,” she had said, while relaxing after a tiring day of riyaz.

Coming to this city was always a dream for Chandana, who has performed at various international concerts and is a leading name in Bengali folk music.

She proved her mettle before an audience comprising more than 1,000 people.

“My father Nirmal Chandra Mazumdar who, too, is a popular folk artist in our country, desperately wanted to come here, but his health did not permit. I hope he, too, can make a trip soon,” she added.

It was from her father she learned this form of music and joined the Bangladesh national radio and later was part of many television shows. Chandana, who specialises in forms like lalon, bhatiyali and baul sangeet, says the going, however, wasn’t smooth to begin with.

“Nobody in the family wanted me to learn folk but I guess that’s destiny and I followed the family path,” she added.

“My parents always said that people here are very friendly. During every family function they would carry back gifts for everyone from here,” she said.

Accompanying her from Bangladesh was Biman Biswas, a senior faculty member at Chayanot and Dhaka University.

“Out here the music is more techno and modern. Back home, the approach is still traditional and original,” said Biman, who has to his credit several albums.

The duo admitted they have a lot to carry back to the youngsters of their country — who were still more into traditional stuff — about the people and music here.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070424/asp/jamshedpur/story_7689118.asp