Indrani

Welcome to my world. A world where music is at the core of every facet of life. There is music for every situation. Music has the ability to calm or excite. I believe that music CAN not only alter your mood but stabilize it without the need for unhealthy chemicals. It's a natural high or low inducer.



I was born to a mother who happens to be a gifted "Tagore" singer. Music was every where I turned. Yet I tried to resist taking formal lessons or training my mother had arranged for me when I was young. But, music was. no, IS in my blood - I was often caught humming a tune when ever I thought no one was listening. And at every social gathering either my friends or relatives would constantly beg me to sing for them. There was no escape. And so I decided to start taking voice lessons. As the years passed, I'm not sure how, I came to the conclusion that I was indeed in love with music and I meant to sing. I realize that I still have a long way to go as far as learning is concerned but these songs are my gift to my friends and family who knew even before I did that THIS is my destiny.



As a Bengali, and as a singer, I have tremendous respect for the works of both Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nozrul Islam. I never say one is better than the other. I love their works almost equally. Each one of their work has the ability to bring forth something magical out of both the singer and the audience. And that is the mark of true genius.



This profile is dedicated to the songs of Kazi Nozrul. And soon I'll add some more on yet another profile songs of Tagore.



So who was Kazi Nozrul?



Perhaps it would be easier if I start with his own words, "Even though I was born in this country (Bengal), in this society, I don't belong to just this country, this society. I belong to the world."



Kazi Nozrul (1899-1976) was an amazingly versatile and talented individual. He was a great poet, a great novelist, an advocate of Independence and Freedom and, to me, above all else, a great song-writer and composer. (He's known to have written and composed the music to some 3,000 songs, the largest by any Bengali.)



Many of his songs, particularly the love songs became instantly popular and are still revered. His songs are extremely romantic, lyric, appealing and rich in metaphors. Nozrul's understanding of Indian Classical Music was so complete that he actually created several new Ragas: including Dolon Chapa and Benuka.



Most of his works truthfully represent the life-style he led - the struggle of a poor childhood, his intense patriotism, and bohemian life as a poet. A personality full of love - romantic - who could also express his feelings in the most beautiful way. His was one of the strongest voices against bigotry, injustice, oppression and inequality of all kind. He was a passionate advocate of religious/ideological harmony as reflected particularly in his contribution toward better Hindu-Muslim relationship.



He not only wrote Hindu Shyma songs but also Islamic songs proclaiming universal values, peace, freedom, justice, harmony and cooperation, while repudiating any bigotry, extremism, fanaticism, narrow-mindedness, judgmental, exploitation in the name of any religion or ideology.



He was the symbol of ever fresh youth, valor, creativity, freedom and indomitable human spirit; and, most importantly, he was a wonderful, warm-hearted, loving human being.