"I get lost in my songs and then I think those are my best work; … if all my poetry is forgotten, all my songs will remain with my countrymen…they have a great beauty …. I leave them as a legacy." Rabindranath Tagore.
Indeed! What best can describe Rabindra Sangeet than that of the own words of the poet who has redefined the very term "music " time and time again, in the most tuneful way.
In the arena of Indian classical music, Rabindra Sangeet with its entire classical aura and distinct romanticism stands as one of the primary music of India. Quite ideally therefore amongst the Bengali classics Rabindra Sangeet is in one of the top positions. India`s cultural treasure finds an articulate dimension amidst the celestial pleasure of Rabindra Sangeet, which refers to a complete body of lyrical artistry, composed and written by the great Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Varied themes, rich quality and most importantly that close link to the heart, which Rabindra Sangeet establishes, has made it the music of the common people whilst whispering the saga of love, nature, languishment and eternal worshipping of the omnipresent.
India`s classical music tradition has a rich history of its own, which is again decked up by the titanic intellect, and romanticism of Rabindranath Tagore. The breathtaking fusion of literary genius and musicianship of Tagore teamed with the artistry of the Rabindra Sangeet singers like Pankaj Mullick, Suchitra Mitra, Konika Bandopadhyay and Debobrata Biswas, made this particular genre of music to stand apart whilst illustrating the beliefs, tradition and philosophy of the Indians. Rabindra Sangeet, the individual genre of music therefore reflects the authentic aura of India from the remote past and is still one of the most cherished art forms.
The influence of Carnatic music and other Indian classical music is quite huge on Rabindra Sangeet. However, Rabindra Sangeet in its turn at the same time influenced the traditional form of Indian music whilst adding a rather contemporary tinge to the traditionalism of Indian classical music.
One of the significant facets of Rabindra Sangeet is therefore that subtle presence of the classical element, which further aids in evoking that right mood for the song. This is one of the main reasons why the celestial tonal color of the ragas so very well complement with the emotion of the songs. Many of the Rabindra Sangeet therefore has a reference with the partial accord to the ragas like Megh, Bhairavi etc.
On certain instance again the harmonious accord of ragas with the melodious presence of the rhythm, tune, melody and of course the very pulse of the Bengali lyrics adds that little extra to this typical genre of Indian music while making it the song to dance, sing, recite and above all to feel.
Originated as an emblematic form of music even today Rabindra Sangeet is still contemporary laced with its entire innovativeness. Apart from the "thumri style" and "Bhakti style" the lighter variety of Rabindra Sangeet, which is derived from the Indian folks like Bhatiyali, Kirtan, echoes the tune of the soil.
Rabindra Sangeet therefore with its sheer majesty, utmost beauty and ultimate passion combines the classical characteristics with the elements of the songs of soil to make the music truly stand apart as an insignia of Indian classical music.
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