Srabani Sen Exclusive Interview
Srabani Sen is one of the most eminent Rabindrasangeet singers of our time. She is also the daughter of the legendary Rabindrasangeet singer Sumitra Sen and the sister of versatile singer Indrani Sen. The extremely talented and musically gifted singer talks to Gaanmela. Please watch Srabani Sen’s exclusive interview at gaanmela and explore the many dimensions of Srabani Sen as a singer and a nice & kind-hearted person. Interview and write up is by Gaanmela journalist Kaustav Goswami, also a disciple of Srabani Sen

As we entered the lush green premises of Saptaparni,one of Kolkata’s sky high apartments, the welcome notes of cuckoo guided us to the sixth floor at the farthest corner. Srabanidi, clad in a bottle green salwar kameez, was waiting for us; for me, it was going to be a lifetime experience, as I had never imagined in wildest of my dreams that I would be interviewing my GURU, someone whom I grew up listening to, the person who taught me to love Rabindra Sangeet. I had lots of queries,despite the fact that I knew many unexplored aspects of Srabanidi’s eventful life.

GAANMELA.COM had given me this opportunity of sharing these interesting anecdotes with all her admirers across the world.

Listen and watch to the Srabani Sen Exclusive Interview by Gaanmela.

Buy Srabani Sen Songs online and listen to the promotional clips on Gaanmela Radio.

Gaanmela Q1. Today, I’m here on behalf of gaanmela.com. Didi, how are you feeling today?

Srabani Sen: I usually feel good most of the time, but today it’s a special day, because one of my favourite students is going to take an interview, I share a different rapport with them, anyways, It would be great fun and my thanks to Arunava and best wishes to gaanmela.com for such a novel concept in promoting Bengali music.

Srabanidi hummed ‘Tumi Khushi Thako’and set the tune for the day’s hectic, yet melodious schedule. From Saptaparni we reached Utsav Foundation, where she would be taking her class.We could hear strains of a puja paryay number,’Shunyo hatey phiri hey’and waited till she wound up.

Gaanmela Q2. Didi,on 1 st January,2009 you were declared the’ popularmost Rabindrasangeet singer of the year’according to viewers poll by Tara Muzik. There were senior artistes like Mohan Singh, Rezwana Choudhury. What was the first reaction when you came to know about it?

Srabani Sen: First of all, very candidly speaking, I personally don’t like this concept of sms voting Anyway, I really didn’t take it seriously though people were calling me up and telling , didi,all the best. Actually I was confined to home for more than a month with my broken arm then.On 31 st December evening, someone from the channel called me up and told me that viewers had chosen me. It was an exhilarating moment, but I would rather say, it made me happy because I accepted the award on behalf of all the singers of Rabindrasangeet.Specially getting a nomination with senior singers such as Mohanda was itself a matter of luck.Secondly, the recognition was for Rabindrasangeet—that made me more happy.

Gaanmela Q3. Many of us know that unlike Indranidi, you were not really keen on music. You were chirpy, fidgety, and happy-go-lucky kind in your childhood days. Can you take us down the memory lane?

Srabani Sen: Sure—-‘didibhai’ was a dedicated learner of music, right from her school days, and my only job was to assist her as a tabla player. I used to play with her kheyal, dhrupad, dhamar and she would procure the 1 st prize from everywhere. So, this inclination towards rhythm was there in me. Even today, unless Swapan or Siddhartha (though both of them are extremely gifted musicians) take right `theka’, I feel very restless, as the rhythm pattern for a particular song is there in my mind. Anyways, my early childhood days were spent at Rifle Range Road before we moved on to Saptaparni, where I had become immensely popular because of my antics. I used to play hockey with `laathi’ and `nuri’. As a cricketer, I was heavily in demand, friends from the neighbouring paras used to hire me as a batsman in lieu of cakes and pastries.

Gaanmela Q4.Did Sumitra Aunty never scold you for not taking up music seriously?

Srabani Sen: Yeah,very much. She used to say,`don’t you see, didibhai is being appreciated so much for her sincerity?’ But I never took all this seriously. It was only when my father took me to Geetabitan I started enjoying music. The teachers were so good, and my fellowmates too. Even there I would play tabla with my classmates and get scoldings from the teachers for not concentrating in my own lessons. Lopa (singer, Lopamudra Mitra) was one of my batchmates there. Even now, whenever I get time I pay a visit to my alma mater as it makes me so nostalgic!

Gaanmela Q5.. How were you initiated into Tagore’s music then?

Srabani Sen: I did my schooling from Pathabhavan, there Smt.Supurna Choudhury used to take our music classes. She used to keep insisting me to learn Rabindrasangeet seriously. But, believe me, I never had any plans to take up music professionally. It all happened accidentally.

Gaanmela Q6. Many of us don’t know that you started off your career as a journalist, and then went on to become the sub-editor of a women’s magazine. How did it happen?

Srabani Sen: I had just taken my M.Sc exams when my father passed away untimely. I was very depressed then, as I could not decide what was in store for me. Either I had to go for a P.hd or sing, didibhai took me to Pushan Gupta of Aajkal and he gave me an opportunity to write for the music section. It was then when I realized that being a journalist its so easy to pen down few lines criticizing an artist’s performance, but how difficult it is to perform for a singer. Now I understand a singer might not be in a mental state to sing on the d-day, but all that matters is the one day performance, and journalists wait for the occasion so that they can vilify a singer. So, after realizing this I quit reviewing. But after I joined Manorama magazine (where I used to write on a wide array of topics—fashion, travel, cuisines)I was really enriched as I got to hear different genres of music. Indian Classical, Folk, Ghazal, Pop and what not.

My greatest achievement was my meeting with the legendary R.D.Burman who had come down to Kolkata for my sister’s recording. He was so humble that he introduced himself to me. (nomoshkaar, amar naam Rahul Dev Burman). He was so decent and and answered allmy queries. I also had the opportunity of interviewing Remo Fernandez, and the last representative of the Bishnupur ghrana, whom we used to call `thakuma’. All these experiences have really enriched me and made me feel extremely honoured.

Gaanmela Q7. Srabonidi, you entered the music circuit when Indranidi was at her peak—-now, ironically many listeners say that the younger sister has proved herself to be superior so far as Rabindrasangeet is concerned. How do you react to this?

Srabani Sen: First of all, you ought not have asked this question (because its you), and secondly let me clarify that I didn’t have the opportunity or rather dedication to learn music properly. Didibhai is a devotee of music; she is a genius,comparisons happen between equals—-she is so superior, my God! I can’t think of it even. People who go into such comparisons only have one intention. They want to create a rift between the sisters. But she is like a mother figure for me. So, I don’t want to hear such comparisons any more.

Gaanmela Q8. Late Pijushkanti Sarkar writes in ‘Rabindrasageet er Robinhood’ Srabani is one singer who will rule the Rabindrasangeet circuit of in next few years. He was a great admirer of your songs.

Srabani Sen: I have seen so many singers since my childhood days, but believe me I haven’t come across someone like Pijushda who could appreciate newcomers so candidly. He used to treat me like his daughter. He took me to Music World (nobody knew me then.) and told the authorities to promote my cd as they did his ones. One fine morning he called me up at my office and told me to sing at Uttam Manch instead of him, as he had a sore throat. But when he was introducing me, I understood that his voice was perfectly okay. So this was Pijushda. His untimely demise was a huge loss for the Rabindrasangeet circle as after my mother and her contemporaries, no one would love listening to Tagore Songs. There was a vacuum—–it was he who came , saw and conquered the present generation listeners and was instrumental in spreading Tagore’s music among the masses. We are only carrying forward the strain created by him. Now throughout the year, soirees of Rabindrasangeet are held everywhere , it feels great , and Pijushda has the lion’s share of contribution towards it.I really miss him.

Gaanmela Q9.Rupudi, Rituparno Ghosh’s ‘Utsab’ was a landmark in your career. How did you get the scope?

Srabani Sen: Debuda (Debajyoti Mishra) called me up one afternoon and asked me to meet him the day after as they wanted me to do a playback for a film directed by Rituda (Rituparno was athen, Unishey April ). Frankly speaking I didn’t like the song (Amala Dhabala Paley Legechey) But Rituda and Debuda encouraged me immensely and the song was recorded quite effortlessly. Arghya kaku was my trainer, and Rajivda was the recordist (people who have seen me grow). So,there was not much tension. Rituda came and after hearing me sing, left the studio. Anyways,that song proved to be a jerk in my hitherto struggling career. Thanks to Debuda and Rituda, Debuda have taught me the nuances of playback singing—–sometimes he shouts at me and sometimes he pampers me so much that anyone would love to give the best.

Gaanmela Q10.Rupudi,I have heard that Smt. Suchitra Mitra had written something after hearing ‘’Amala Dhabala’’.

Srabani Sen: (chuckles) That was a blessing for me; actually Vishwabharati Music Board had not given a no objection to the song as they felt that it was not sung with the accompaniment of a ‘khol’. It was then forwarded to Suchitradi and Debuda had asked her expert comments on whether the rendition had marred or violated any norms of the song. Suchitradi after listening to it had written ‘’ei gaan er thekey bhalo bhabey ei situation ey gaoa jetey parey boley amar money hoy na’’—and this was indeed a surprise gift for me.

Gaanmela Q11.It is very co-incidental that during the 60’s and 70’s aunty had sung Tagore numbers for most of the Bengali films and now you are carrying forward the legacy. How does it feel?

Srabani Sen: My didibhai has also sung in numerous films and given hits like ‘Bhalobashi, Bhalobashi in Shwet Pathorer Thala. Actually the break which I got in Utsav opened many doors for me, and offers started pouring in from ace directors like Gautam Ghosh, Anjan Das, Subrata Sen. I really enjoyed singing some songs like Tomar Shur Shunaye (Dekha), Tomar Amar O Ei (Saanjhbatir Rupkathara).Another person to whom I am indebted is Debjit, a very talented composer and arranger who hasbeen a fountain of inspiration in my musical career. He has made me sing in more than 150 songsfor serials, telefilms. Apart from this,he was the person who insisted that I do an album on Atulprasad’s songs.I had never learnt them,but he arranged the album so well that I loved singing the songs.

Gaanmela Q12.Srabanidi,you have an album of Bengali Modern Songs to your credit….

Srabani Sen: My God! don’t speak of it….it was a super flop (bursting into peals of laughter). I didn’t have plans to release it .But when Shubhajit of HMV heard the songs he was very keen on releasing it as an album,”Tomar Amar Thikana’’.All the songs were sung by male singers as my ‘herey gola’ woudn’t have done justice to songs sung by female singers.

Gaanmela Q13.Didi, I have one question——sorry to interrupt you. Speaking about this ‘husky voice’(here gola)as you say, tell me how come the voice you speak and the voice you sing in are so different?

Srabani Sen: (laughing) yeah! many people ask me this question—-but unfortunately I don’t have an answer.

Gaanmela Q14.Didi, there was a time when the style rather the so called ‘rabindrik’ mannerism was given precedence over the thematic content?How would you define this term? Veterans say that Tagore is not for the masses.what is your take on this?

Srabani Sen: There is nothing called ‘rabindrik’—yeah, students from some institutions had picked up a mannerism of suppressing their jaws and singing songs. But now I see that the boys and girls are singing full throated, without such mannerisms. Coming to the second part of your question, I personally feel Tagore is ‘Only For The Masses’ and I love to sing for the masses more than I do while performing at a soiree where the intelligentsia clad in shawls come and sit.I feel when I’m singing for the mass, I have a greater challenge before me because I am interacting with today’s generation who would be listening to say, Bhumi or a Hindi singer afterwards in the same programme. And by God’sgrace I can make Tagore reachable to them through my songs. They listen, and you won’t believe once at Nazrul Mancha I was supposed to be the first artiste followed by Anjan Dutta and Cactus. I instantly refused the proposal as I thought no one would listen to me at a place where Anjanda and Cactus would be performing.5000 students of Andrew’s College had gathered for the soiree. Believe me, I was taken aback when requests started pouring in from all the youngsters and I couldn’t leave the stage before 2 hours. Everyone in the auditorium had joined me for ‘Purano Shei Diner Kotha’. That was indeed a memorable experience.

Gaanmela Q15.You have been to so many countries for your performances. Where did you enjoy performing most?

Srabani Sen: America, Doha, Australia. Audience in the middle east were very accomplished and I had to sing many uncommon numbers on request.

Gaanmela Q16. What is your opinion about the present generation learners?

Srabani Sen: They are very sincere, meticulous and more sincere than me. More than 200 boys and girls come to me. Some of my students are really very promising. But talent alone cannot make wonders. If destiny clicks then only you can be successful, this is what I believe.

Gaanmela Q17.What are your forthcoming projects?

Srabani Sen: This Pochishey Boishakh two of my albums are slated for release—-Pathik Paran and another one on seasonal songs of Tagore.`Bhumi’, the popular band have chosen me to train them up for their debut album of Rabindrasanget. This is a great achievement on my part, as they are so good souls apart from being fantastic singers.

Gaanmela Q18. You don’t have any qualms as a singer of Rabindrasangeet—you can be at ease with singers of any genre

Srabani Sen: Yes,this is a fact.Singers from all spheres love me,respect me,and I guess this is what I want.At the end of the day people would say,`Srabani Sen was a good human being’—that’s it.

Srabani Sen : My favourites

1. Colour: Off White
2. Place: Goa
3. Hobbies: Eating
4. Composers: Madan Mohan,Sudhin Dasgupta,R.D.Burman,Joy Sarkar
5. Singers: Manna Dey,Suman Kalyanpur,Mukesh,Mohd.Rafi,Hariharan, Jagjit Singh,Sonu Nigaam
6. Movies: Abhiman
7. Actors: Amitabh Bachchan,Jaya Bhaduri
8. Author: Suchitra Bhattacharya
9. Outfit: Jeans and Punjabi
10. Persons: My mother, my childhood friend,Mili

Rapid Fire with Srabani Sen
1. Bichitro/Prakriti - Prakriti
2. Debabrata/Hemanta – Debabrata
3.Satyajit Ray/Tapan Sinha – Tapan Sinha
4.Jokhon Eshechiley/Amala Dhabala – Jakhan Eshechiley
5. Rabindrasadan/Kalamandir – Rabindrasadan
6. Lata Mangeshkar/Asha Bhonsle – Asha Bhonsle
7. Recording/Live – live
8. Discipline/Bohemianism tinged with it – second one
9.Crowd/Solitude – solitude
10. Badalshesher Pakhi/Bhitormahaler Byatha – Badalshesher Pakhi

The rendezvous came to an end with Srabanidi’s soulful rendition of Tobu Mone Rekho…….. and left us yearning for more……
Write up and interview by Gaanmela Journalist: Kaustav Goswami