Upal’s rendezvous with folk continues

After a successful show of Upalakhya Folk in May this year, Upal Sengupta and his fellow musicians presented another chapter of the musical event with age-old folk songs from Bengal with a bit of a twist. This time, the show took place at the cafe in ICCR, instead of the auditorium. It was an intimate event and several members of the audience took part in the show.
Intimate Event
“Our plan was to make the event a bit more personal so that the adda could also take centrestage.Since there was no dais, I could ask a member of the audience to play the shaker — a percussion instrument — while we performed.

This way, the show became less formal and the audience interaction was also an integral part of it,” Upal said.
Stunning performance
Dotted with anecdotes, the musicians left no stone unturned to make the evening an entertaining one with their performances. Upal started with Lal Paharir Deshe Ja by Arun Chakraborty and presented several popular folk songs, including Pratidhwani Shuni, Kotoi Rongo Dekhi Duniyay and others.

As he sang Dada Paye Pori Re, a member in the audience whispered, “He sang this one at his elder brother’s bashor raat, I remember.” The rendition of Matite Paa Diyona Tumi by guitarist Rudranil Choudhury and Dildariyar Majhe Re Bhai by percussionist Subhasis Sarkar also mesmerised the audience.

Walking down memory lane
Besides old songs, Upal also crooned Pratul Moukhopadhyay’s Dinga Bhashao and Surojit Chatterjee’s Ami Daan Dike Roi Na, Ami Baamdike Roi. His rendition of Harry Belafonte’s Sylvie was one of the high points of the show. The musical event drew to a close with two Chandrabindoo songs — Hridoy and Riskawala.

While humming the second line of the song Riskawala — Bolo Ki O Madhabi Tumi Ki Amar Hobe — Upal commented, “Ki shahosh bolun. Bou samne boshe ache ar ami onyo mohilake niye gaan gaichi,” and to this the crowd burst into peals of laughter.
Food galore
There was also a scrumptious spread on offer.

“What is life without having a hearty meal? I am glad that my audience could enjoy my music along with good food,” Upal signed off.