TBT REPORT

Popular Rabindra Sangeet singers Anima Roy and Nirjhar Chowdhury have sung together for a film for the first time.

The song, ‘Jani Jani Tumi Esechho E Pothe Monero Bhule’, has been recorded for filmmaker Sadek Siddiqui’s government-funded film Dena-Paona, based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore.

Legendary composer and music director Sheikh Sadi Khan has arranged the music for the song. The recording was completed last Sunday.

Anima Roy has previously lent her voice to songs in four or five films, including Reunion, Shrabon Jyotsnay, Oshombhob, Ami Komola and Bhalobashar Projapoti. However, Dena-Paona marks her first collaboration with Nirjhar on a film song.

“I have enjoyed singing Rabindra Sangeet for Dena-Paona. The arrangement is modern, but the lyrics and melody have been given priority. I have always hoped that more of Rabindranath’s songs would be used in our films. There is perhaps no greater medium than cinema to bring his expression of human emotions to the present generation,” Anima said.

Nirjhar said he has known Anima since childhood and has shared the stage with her at several programmes. However, this is their first time singing together for a film.

“Anima is a childhood friend. I have had the opportunity to sing with her at many stage shows, but this is the first time we have recorded a song together for a film. It is also special because the music has been arranged by respected Sheikh Sadi Khan Sir. Working with him is a new experience for me. Overall, it has turned out to be a very good project, and I am particularly hopeful about it,” he said.

Nirjhar is also a composer and music director. He has worked on films including Padma Puran, Sardar Barir Khela, Behula Dorodi and Bidhor I Die. He has also worked on short films, including City of Light.

He is currently working as music director on two films directed by Shubhashish Sinha and Zahid Islam.