Be it exploring the
Purvi folk music of Bihar, reliving the legacy of the Bhikhari Thakur era,
celebrating the landscapes of NorthEast India through Maa-e-Ri – a lyrical
conversation with Mother Nature or embarking on a musical journey of Biraha
fiesta of the Ahirs, Kalpana is traveling the world through her music and
expanding musical boundaries by collaborating with a number of national and
International artists.
The pairing of star acts on an album
isn't uncommon but this musical document is a rare achievement. From names like Sunidhi Chauhan (collaborated with
Enrique Iglesias), Shreya Ghoshal ( collaborated with Maestro
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan), AR Rahman (recently collaborated with
Rolling Stone lead singer Mick Jagger), Yo Yo Honey Singh (plans to collaborate
with American rapper Sky Blu), Suhail Yusuf Khan (shared the stage in
collaboration with Welsh harpist Georgia Ruth), Swarathma (recently
collaborated with Lebanese band Wanton Bishops), Skyharbour (recorded a song
with Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman) and Salim-Sulaiman (remixing Enrique
Iglesias' single), all seem to be expanding their musical prowess to bring
something new for their audience.
So what makes these collaborations
click. “It’s interesting and exiting at the same time as it is all about
breaking the conventional rules. History and Time witnessed every time who so
ever speak a new thought i.e. Galileo, Socrates, Newton and many more they were
threatened to death. Here if you are an artiste who deals with root music, folk
music than you are many times criticized for collaboration as the conventional
form is broken. Of course it’s sensitive and you should be responsible and
mature enough not to chemical the genres to that limit to lose its original
dignity…fusion should not lead to confusion” …says Kalpana with a mystic smile.
“Collaboration
brings along the share of fans and a wider range of audience. It does help in expanding your audience base
as when you collaborate with other artists; their audience also gets to know
about you, the interest builds up which helps you expand."
The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut is one of my best
and the most notable musical collaboration not only with various respectable
artists but also with a variety of primitive instruments being used in this album.
From the
traditional - ancient and extinct instrument Kalia to Sarinda to the Sundari to
Doba to Djembe to Kahon to the Tabla, Shehnai, percussion,
electronic hand sonic, drums, beads, electric piano, Acoustic Guitar,
Nakara to Nagara to Bortal to Flute, this album is a cocktail mix of different
sounds,” she shared.
I kept the folk vibe of
traditional Ghosha original and added a more somber touch and I tried to keep
the original and earnest vocal performance of the Barpeta style from my Mother.
Kalpana shares the stories of her
Collaboration and unique experience and what it means for music in the region:
The Collaboration: The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut.
The Song: Muktita
The Artist: Papon Angarag
Mahanta – vocals
The Best: Kalpana
was the featured artist in the third season of Mtv@Coke Studio produced by
Papon Angarag Mahanta and this
duo were seen turning heads with their collaborative music in Coke Studi@Mtv
with Rajastani & Assamese barpetia fagun songs.
The Collaboration : The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut.
The Song : Ami Joto Jibo
The Artist : Zubeen Garg – vocals
The Best : The main attraction in this
album is Kalpana teamed up with Zubeen Garg along with children vocals from
Assam (Anuska Saikai, Dhritismita Kalita, Armit Kalita, Hansraj Saikia,Purbahna
Pragalav Kayshap, Ankita Khanikar, Rishab Khanikar, Bandita Devi, Bhumika Nath,
Himashree Barman, Dibyam Seal, Jivitha Seal, Arisha Sheikh, Rimisha Hussain, Chayasnigdha
Nath) for the
track Ami Joto Jibo which sounds
very different. The Children vocals added the varied and eclectic energy with
extra boost. Both Kalpana and Zubeen have their styles which can drain on
listeners as melancholy and drowning, but together with the group of children
they produced a prayer something which transforms into a gorgeous anthem.
The Collaboration : The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut.
The Song : Hey Prano Bondhu
The Artist : Guru Ruben Masangva – Acoustic Guitar
The Best: Hey Prano Bondhu is a track with a blend of distinct Blues influence with a
modern sophisticated melody with traditional lyrics by Srimanta Madhavdeva.
The most risky song of this album, is
about the longing of a human soul to merge with the infinite, says Kalpana. I
always had a Blues feel to this track and I thought it would be interesting to
incorporate a person who could take it that way. It took a while but with Guru
Ruben’s style of playing the Guitar fell in place and it will transform you to a different world when you
close your eyes listening to it.
The AssameseBhojpuri singer and the
Father of Naga Blues from Manipur provide two seemingly different sides of the
coin: one side mystical and dreamy, the other side more realistic. Kalpana’s
collaboration with Guru Ruben in this album feels natural and just plain easy. The
blues and the vocal in acoustic guitar have a lasting quality and will be
recognized. Kalpana’s extensive vocal range and prowess mixed with Ruben’s
signature playing and gregarious attitude toward music makes for one of the
most fun and unforgettable musical collaborations.
The Collaboration : The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut.
The Song : Hari Namo Roxe & Muktita
The Artist : Trilok Gurtu (Germany)
The Best : Kalpana
Patowary had earlier worked with Trilok Gurtu in an International album
called MASSICAL released from BIRDjam Label, Germany and have long wanted to
make music together and they finally got their chance in the Sacred Scriptures
of Monikut. Trilok
Gurtu has been a major inspirations in this album.
Trilok Gurtu provided the ambient and
ominous electronic beats while Kalpana renders her traditionally epic and
self-referential vocals makes this track truly special. Kalpana’s melancholy
ambiance provided a perfect backdrop as Trilok Gurtu forayed into the brand new
territory of ambient Assamese music culture.
Trilok Gurtu and Kalpana were just musical and this
timeless classic masterpiece collaboration will always be remembered and more
greatly preserved in Assam history.
She adds, "Working
with Trilok Gurtu has enhanced my understanding of my own music, and opened my
eyes to a variety of musical possibilities." He is ahead of times.
Trilok Gurtu, Guru Ruben
Masangva, Papon, Zubeen and Kalpana Patowary comes together and fashion
something seamless, beautiful and exciting, regardless of the different and
diverse worlds they may come from, the result is something to be cherished and
recognized for ages to come.
Now last but most importantly
not any least - Sacred Scriptures of Monikut is a happy and satisfying piece of
cake for me as I relish the art of creation step by step. In this project that
every element comes alive whom I adored and inspired in some way…while it was
on a deciding stage I was sure which way to go with this project. Here I am talking
about to style the ghokha’s, I heard a lot of Native American Music, Tibetan
stuff. The spiritual approach I got it right from them. YANNI and BHUPEN
HAZARIKA - Sacred scriptures musical style is about following these legends.
Now many may sarcastically smile, but I share the truth. I know I can’t touch
their musical heights but where will all my love energies go for them…it has to
transform somewhere and I think The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut is the outcome
of my love for them. Many times I feel Yanni’s music is all about love and the
beautiful side of our being, its serene and his music bounds me to believe…. “Yes
I am a GOD particle”. Juxtaposed, Bhupen Hazarika’s social observance says a
complete different story of our mankind, and he chose to speak through music
again. I tried to incorporate the pain and pleasure on one note, appreciating
each other.
On significance of The Sacred
Scriptures of Monikut for Assam:
This album is of the highest
standard ever produced in India. I don’t think that the Naam Ghosha &
Kirtan Ghosha Assam has been presented in this way to the world or any other
way before.
On local instruments and
particular forms of folk music used:
The Sacred Scriptures of Monikut is one of
my best and the most notable musical collaboration with a variety of
instruments used in this album. From the traditional an ancient and extinct
instrument Kalia to Sarinda to the Sundari Doba to Djembe to Kahon to the
Tabla, Shehnai, percussion, electronic hand sonic, drums, beads, electric
piano, Acoustic Guitar, Nakara to Nagara to Bortal to Flute, this album was a
mix of different sounds,” she shared.
On what this project mean to young
talents in the Northeast and India.
I
believe it means a lot to hold on to your roots and present its beauty to the
world. It is a matter of pride and satisfaction. This album would encourage
young people who love their land and culture.
On Kalpana Patowary’s music
and how it emanates from her land Assam:
I
love to put Assam on the world map again and again with the love, culture,
emotions and music of the land. But here focusing on rural folk music I would
like to sound original folk at least from the singing point of view.
On
upcoming projects:
- Anthology of Biraha - A folk form of Utter Pradesh & Bihar. A deliberate approach to
travel back in time to collect the roots of BIRHA singing style, a folk
tradition of AHIRS or YADAVAS from UTTAR PRADESH to the Caribbean Islands.
I am
also collaborating in a project with Mungal Patasar - one of the best-known exponents of the Sitar - a unique artist from the
sister islands of Trinidad & Tobago very soon. This is sponsored by the
Indian Council which wants us to make an album touring the festivals in the
Trinidad next summer.
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