Note - Write-up first published in www.anmolfankaar.com (titled, 'Kanan Devi - While Singing Tagore's Songs, My Realisations Would Blossom').
This is from an interview of legendary songstress Kanan Devi,
taken by eminent music journalist Sandhya Sen. Originally in Bengali.
Sandhya Sen - What’s behind your intense love for Rabindra-Sangeet?
Kanan Devi - The word ‘intense’ doesn’t stand in my case. At least, during
the time I recorded Rabindra-Sangeets, the term was not applicable for me.
However at the present moment I can say, besides Classical Music, the only form
of music I can bear is Rabindra-Sangeet (of course with the exception of the
songs of some mystic poets like Nazrul, Atulprasad and Dwijendralal).
Sandhya Sen - You say so today, when you have moved away from the performing world. Why could you not, when you were at the peak?
Kanan Devi - I am coming to that later. Before, let me make one thing clear.
I do not believe in monotheism in music. In the ocean of music, just as I love
to sway on each of its mighty waves, I love to immerse myself into its depths,
when it's calm. When on full-moon nights - the sea and the shore are washed in light, who doesn't like to sit on the shore? But also when the moon
is just a crescent - when the waves, partly lightened - wearing
crowns of dim light, break open on the shore, I am thrilled. The ebbing and
falling of waves - their beautiful dance on moonlit nights - their melodious
sounds - encompassing all these, is the ocean! It’s the same in case of music as
well. I did like singing Tagore’s compositions, but I didn't have any less
attraction for the other kinds of songs I sang. Just consider “Mukti”. From the
film, Tagore’s “Aaj Sobar Ronge
Rong Mishate Hobe”, in my voice, gained popularity. However
at that instance, I liked much more, singing “Ogo Sundaro Monero Gahone”,
written by Sajanikanta Das. The song used to haunt me…Song - Aaj Sobar Ronge Rong Mishate Hobe
Film - Mukti (1937)
Artiste - Kanan Devi
Lyrics - Rabindranath Tagore
Music - Rabindranath Tagore
Sandhya Sen - I have something to say in this context. Is there much of difference in the say of “Ogo Sundaro Monero Gahone” and that of Tagore? The eternal journey between “Bhaav” and “Roop” is the main essence of Rabindra-Sangeet and Rabindra-Sahitya. By saying “other kinds of songs” if you have meant modern songs, let those be named as songs of the contemporary period. In that case Tagore’s songs too are not an exception.
Kanan Devi - I too opine the same. These poets are all a family, and Rabindranath, the pioneer. People have narrowed the path towards Tagore - partitioning between him and all others, by forming a separate pathway. I just understand this much that Tagore has never wanted to keep himself and his creations between firm walls of separation from the rest of the world. I feel, he is free - free from all narrowness, and an endless frisson of joy is spread out, in his songs!
Sandhya Sen - How beautifully you’ve said! Then why were you purposefully veiling the truth from me, going on telling that you were not much attracted towards Rabindra-Sangeet?
Kanan Devi - I wasn’t veiling the truth actually - men often speak out things out of sorrows and pains hidden in their hearts, and what they say is not always completely true. Let’s leave this context…
Sandhya Sen - Why? You have loved Tagore’s melodies. Why do you hesitate to accept this truth?
Kanan Devi - Do I hesitate on purpose? I remember once on my request, Bhula Da (Prasanta Mahalanbis) had brought for me a portrait of Tagore autographed by the poet himself. Regarding this, there was a storm of protest in the ‘noble’ class - the question being, why an actress of the screen would have the poet’s autograph! The issue was so serious that even Tagore was called up by various people from Calcutta and questioned. I had had a feeling of self-hatred, deep in my mind, for having been the cause of annoyance of the great person. At that moment I had felt - Tagore and his creations are not for people like me - they are only for a handful of fortunate people. I thought, on what I have no right, I shouldn’t be greedy for - in place, I should remain satisfied with the little my poor soul deserved.
Sandhya Sen - After that?
Kanan Devi - After that… Whenever I was asked to sing any of Tagore’s compositions for films, an endless stream of doubts would make way through my heart. I would suffer from an unknown sort of sorrow. What the reason was, who was responsible for this - I couldn’t understand. Once again, I couldn’t refuse to sing, as that would have sounded impolite. It was a unique feeling indeed! But as I would begin to sing, those feelings would fade away, I would find Tagore close - very close to my heart, and plunge into his inner world, forgetting everything else. While telling about this, I recall the song “Ei Lobhinu Sango Tabo, Sundaro He Sundaro”. When I would sing the lines “Ei Janome Ghotale Mo Janmo Janomantaro”, I would feel electrified. Certain forms of consciousness suddenly enter us. While singing Tagore’s songs, my realisations would blossom and I’d feel as if I’ve overcome all pains and am standing in front of the Supreme. As the song would end, I would regain consciousness and get surprised - whose song did I sing? I do not deserve to sing the song! Why then, did I lose myself in it?
My own thoughts would go on playing a game of hide and seek with each other!
Song - Ei Lobhinu Sango Tabo, Sundaro He Sundaro
Film - Ananya (1949)
Artiste - Kanan Devi
Lyrics - Rabindranath Tagore
Music - Rabindranath Tagore
Sandhya Sen - You have used Tagore’s songs even in your own productions. Yet you have such sorrows associated with them?
Kanan Devi - Long before I began producing, I’ve received the graces that I needed.
Sandhya Sen - How?
Kanan Devi - That is a memorable incident. Knowing that Tagore was coming to the Hindusthan Record Company, a huge crowd of people, wishing to have a glance of him had gathered near the studio. I too was one in the crowd. Bhula Da’s brother Bula Da took me near the poet. As I touched his feet, he held my chin and affectionately said - “What a sweet look you have! Can you sing?” Immediately, many people said that I had sung one or two of his compositions in films and earned fame. The poet smiled and said, “Is it? Then I need to hear you one day,” addressing Bula Da and Anil Da (Chanda) he said, “Bring her to Santiniketan someday. I would hear her.” Witnessing the affectionate glance of the poet and sensing his divine touch I felt as if I was bathing in the ocean of light. After this, I had had no sign of pain in my heart. I felt, Tagore was the sky - so high, that no cloud of narrow-mindedness could reach him. Since then whenever I sang a Rabindra-Sangeet, I felt - I felt as if He was my listener.
