Kolkata: Rabindra Sangeet, the charm and melody of the famous songs of the Nobel laureate tempted a number of singers in India. The endeavour to sing Rabindra Sangeet by a non-Bengali singer is nothing new. Not because the fact that the songs are very easy, but because of its sheer popularity and the power it wields while winning the hearts of Bengalis. However, one tiny mistake and the discerning Bong ears will be unforgiving.
The element of risk never gets too far away from a cricketer, so adding his name to the list of Rabindra Sangeet, is former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. The most popular face of Indian commentators and former batsman of India cricket team was known for his talent in the dressing room, but now the former Indian cricketer has brought it out in the open. An ardent fan of Kishore Kumar, Manjrekar has been practising his singing skills for years now.
It is revealed in today’s press meet with former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly & eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Shraboni Sen, that Manjrekar has been singing Rabindra Sangeet at friendly and family get-togethers but the skill was polished and groomed by Shraboni Sen, and that inspired to record an entire album, “Aamar bela je jaye”, which has indeed been a bold and “courageous” move. “I have been singing Rabindra Sangeet at home regularly, but never thought would record an album. This is a new innings,” Manjrekar said.
Sanjay was so serious about his new innings as, the man said, “Just because I don’t know Bengali, I will sing it wrongly can’t happen.”
An excited Manjrekar says that all the songs for his album have been sung by his singing guru Kishore Kumar. From ‘Pagla hawa’ to ‘Ami chini go chini tomra’, he has learnt and practised all the songs from Kumar’s renditions. Overall, the album is kind of a tribute to Kumar.
The colourful press conference became even more entertaining when Soiurav Ganguly, sitting next to him revealed his experience of his playing career. Ganguly said,”It was indeed an experience to listen Virender Sehwag singing songs while batting. He used to sing songs with wrong lyrics and melodies confidently. Then I had to bat with Rahul Dravid, who used to bat the whole day without saying too much. Then Sachin Tendulkar at no.4. Same old Bengali words where one hardly can get any meaning (laughs), after that it was Laxman, I was always in tension if he was still in the shower or not before he used to come out. It was indeed different experiences. But trust me, Sanjay is 200 times better singer than Viru.”
Sanjay himself sung a few lines for XtraTime.in where the song,”Ami chini go chini tomare” told about the talent the man has in singing. It is to see how much impact it makes for the Bengalis in the auspicious time of Durga Puja. Though Sanjay said,”The cricketing days were tougher compared to this one as there was no re-takes.”