BY RUCHIRA GHOSH

For all lovers of Tagore’s musical creations, the departing year (2023) will go down in history as a memorable one. By sheer coincidence, two doyens of Rabindrasangeet stepped into their centenary years in the last quarter of 2023. On October 12, a cluster of singers, musicians and music lovers from Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal mustered strong at Santiniketan, Bolpur, (WB) to celebrate Kanika Bandopdhyay’s 99th birth anniversary. Also known by the nickname Mohor (lit: a gold coin) Kanika was indeed fortunate to have Tagore himself as her Muse as well as Mentor. Kanika (nee Anima) was lovingly rechristened Mohor by none other than Tagore who possibly gauged her real worth.

On a parallel plane, the centenary celebrations focused on another Diva i.e. Suchitra Mitra who also turned 99 on the 19th of September. Her life too revolved around Tagore and his protégée Mohordi. Suchitra being the quintessential Kolkata girl exuded d elegance, chic and sophistication in every fibre of her being, while Kanika was a simple lady who grew up in the lap of Nature. Albeit a gentle soul with a heart of gold. However their unflinching mutual relationship and admiration mingled with respect (rivalry and tiffs notwithstanding), and innumerable joint performances, including cutting of discs/LP records are too familiar to be mentioned here. 

The D-day function began with the traditional lighting of a lamp amidst the soulful chanting of hymns from the Vedas. Ten commemorative coins (embossed with her facsimile) were released on the occasion. This was followed by the rendition of her iconic songs by assembled vocalists who came from far and wide. The list of Who’s Who encompassed her topmost pupils Lily Islam and Rezwana Chowdhuri Bonya, (Both Bangladeshi nationals), besides eminent exponents like Promita Mallik, Srikanta Acharya, Mohan Singh, Swagata Laxmi Dasgupta, Satyakam Sen Anushila Basu, and many more. Noted interdisciplinary artist-singer-elocutionist Sujoy Prosad Chatterji also presented excerpts from Tagore’s prose and poetry.

 The next part was a journey down memory lane wherein Smt Bithika Mukhopadhyay (her 82-year-old sister) and several other “Ashramites” (inmates) most of whom are in the twilight of their lives – and who had lifelong close relationships with the singer – narrated their experiences and memories. As a part of the celebrations, Kolkata Doordarshan broadcast a three-part musical programme titled Shatabarshe Kanika (featuring Kanika) during her birthday weekend. 

It would of utmost importance  to mention  that to perpetuate the memory of the legendary singer, her nephew-turned-adopted son Priyam Mukherjee had painstakingly masterminded a mega project: setting up an archive showcasing her illustrious life and achievements. His wife Ritapa Bhattacharya has been a co-partner in the project. Incidentally both figure among the lady’s direct disciples, diligently upholding her singing style.    

Kanika’s dream house aptly named “Ananda Dhara” has been transmogrified into a memorial museum. The halls and rooms of the splendid villa-type house present vignettes of her daily life by way of her collection of books, vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, the prestigious Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards she had won, an array of musical instruments used by her or gifted to her. Other conspicuous and significant exhibits include her vast array of saris, cosmetics ornaments, furniture including her favourite chair originally owned by Tagore and last but not least, her vintage Ambassador car.  

While Mohordi lived here, the portals of the abode of bliss (Anada=bliss, dhara=ceaseless flow) received footfalls of famous personalities and celebrities from all across the country and beyond… Suchitra Mitra, film director Satyajit Ray, poet Shakti Chattopadhyay, author Sunil Ganguly, Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar…the list is endless. Innumerable photographs and memorabilia connected with them, conspicuously displayed here, are a must-see.

A section of the residence has been renovated to accommodate an audio-visual studio where music students at all levels can chronologically hear the lyrics and also conduct research. We further learnt that a souvenir shop and a cafeteria would be set up on the premises for the convenience of all visitors.