Musicians pay tribute to Gautam Chattopadhyay

It was an evening brimming with music and a touch of nostalgia, as Sahajiya Foundation organized the event, Moni Chara Sunyo Lage, as a tribute to late Gautam Chattopadhyay.
The event, held at a city auditorium on Friday as part of Sahajiya Utsab, saw a large number of city-based musicians gather to remember the maverick singer on his 15th death anniversary. Cactus frontman Sidhu set the tone for the evening with Knaapey knaapey aamar hiyaa knaapey (Priya Café), a song by Chattopadhyay, followed by some heartwarming performances by the baul-fakirs of Bengal.Songs like Jole pure morche manush by Bhajan Das Baul and Ke jabi shekhane by Kartick Das Baul received huge rounds of applause.
After singers young and old crooned MoheenerGhoraguli numbers, it was time to listen to the original band members. Ranjan Prasad and PradipChattaopadhyay aka Bula presented Din ketejaye, a song written by Ranjan for Chattopadhyay. Bapi Das of MoheenerGhoraguli said, “Moni and I were together for over 30 years and losing a friend like him still hurts." Abraham Mazumdar's violin, too, mesmerized one and all and so did the rendition of Telephone and Shaper bish by Malabika and Sanjay of Brahmakhyapa along with Gabu. As lights went out in the auditorium, mobile phones sparkled to set the mood for SurojitChatterjee of Bhoomi and Subrata, who were part of the mid-nineties album AbarBachhorKuri Pore. The duo presented Barleboyesh followed by Aamidandiketeroina. The event came to an end with Rupam Islam singing Prithibi. The crowd, too, joined in. The heart-warming music and a bag full of anecdotes surely made it an evening to remember.