Meet Biswaraj Bhattacharjee, lyricist from Assam who made it to celluloid world
SILCHAR | Feb 16:
Music was always his first love. Childhood, teenage days – the love grew stronger and stronger with time. Composing poems, songs and other creative stuff gradually became a part of his life, giving rise to the artiste in him, which ardently treasured the wish to make his creations known to the world someday. This sums up the journey of a young poet and singer of Assam's Silchar town, who has recently made his celluloid debut as a lyricist and took the first step towards his dreams.
He is Biswaraj Bhattacharjee, who has penned two songs for a Bengali feature film "Gondi" released earlier this month. Directed by national award winning independent film-maker Fakhrul Arefeen Khan, the film is a rom-com revolving around two elderly persons, who become friends and start a new chapter in their lives. It features prolific Tollywood actor Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Bangladesh actress Suborna Mustafa, Aparna Ghose, Aman Reza and Majnun Mizan among others, and has been shot in London and Bangladesh.
A big fan of Arijit Singh, Biswaraj has had formal training in Silchar on Indian classical and Rabindra Sangeet. He is associated with a popular Bengali music band of Barak Valley – Dolchut and has performed in many musical events across the state over the years. In an exclusive interaction with The Northeast Today, Biswaraj shared some experiences of his professional life and related aspects. Here're the excerpts:
TNT – First of all, congratulations for making debut as a lyricist in the celluloid world.
Biswaraj Bhattacharjee – Thank you so much.
TNT – How did Gondi happen to you? Tell us about the experience of working in the film.
BB – Well, it was perhaps the month of August last year. I was recording at the radio station. My friend-cum-brother Sudipto Chakraborty (alias Soumya), who is associated with the music band Dohar in Kolkata, phoned me and gave me the surprise. He told that I would have to write songs for a new film directed by acclaimed director from Bangladesh Fakhrul Arefeen Khan. I was completely taken aback. Fakhrul Arefeen Khan's film "Bhuban Majhi" needs no introduction. The song "Aami Tomari Naam Gaai" composed by (late) Kalika Prasad Bhattacharjee set a new benchmark in the music industry.
I got the opportunity to write two songs – "Gondi Chariye Bondi" and "Gondi Periye Bondhu Dujon" in the film. Music directors from Kolkata — Deep and Loy gave the music. Deep lent his voice to both the songs (male versions), while the latter's female version was sung by Tollywood singer Emon Chakraborty. It was my first time working in an international project. Altogether, it was an incredible experience.
TNT – Who is your biggest inspiration? Any plans to take up music as a career option?
BB – My biggest inspiration is my music teacher Biswajeet Roy Choudhury. He has taught me to think creatively and helped me shape my imaginations into words and melodies. I am really thankful to my family members, especially my mother Jyotsna Bhattacharjee and wife Debarati Bhattacharjee, without whose love and support my musical journey would have never been the way it has been. My love story with music had begun because of my mother, who's the first inspiration in my life. Debarati has been a source of motivation and strength throughout my musical journey so far. As far as composing lyrics is concerned, I'm deeply inspired by Gulzar. His creations connect to the heart straightway. The tale of my musical journey cannot be complete without the mention of Dolchut with which I am associated for many years. The platform helped me experimenting with tunes and rhythms and impelled me to explore many unknown shades of music and creativity. Well, if I get the opportunities, I would certainly like to take up music as a career option.
TNT – Be it Bollywood or Tollywood, music has changed a lot in the past few years with item, masala and rap songs becoming a common feature in films these days. Do you think this change is going to affect the popularity and sustenance of traditional songs in the future?
BB – I don't think so. It is true that masala and rap songs' popularity have increased remarkably over the years, but the charm of traditional songs continues and will continue as ever. All directors do not make masala-type movies. For example, Fakhrul Arefeen Khan – his latest film Gondi is a film of different genre. There are many examples like that. In Hollywood movies too, traditional songs / music are used mostly. Masala, rap songs may be popular but they can never take the place of traditional songs.
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TNT – You had also composed the theme song of the Namami Barak fest held in Barak Valley in 2018. Tell us something about that experience.
BB – The experience of writing the lyrics of the Namami Barak fest's theme song infused a lot of energy in me. I worked with Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, 2005 winner Debojit Saha, who had composed the music. The Hindi version of the song was written by lyricist Sandeep Nath. We had adda (interactive sessions) during the project during which we discussed music and shared our various experiences. The fest was a turning point in my life. I learnt a lot about composing lyrics during that experience.
TNT –What are your upcoming projects? Where do you wish to see yourself in the next five years?
BB – I am prepping for a new Bengali film, whose work is underway. I would be writing its songs and composing the music as well. A number of popular Tollywood stars are part of the project. I feel, it's going to be damn exciting. Besides, I am looking forward to make music videos with the kids of my music school. In 2019, I had worked in a music video with them (music school's kids) and it was really a superb experience. In the next five years, I would like to see myself as a successful lyricist and music composer.
