MOHORDI AND SANTIDEV GHOSH
KANIKA BANDYOPADHYAY (1924-2000)
One of the greatest singers of Rabindra Sangeet, Kanika Badyopadhyay was born in Bankura in the year 1924. Kanika, gifted with an inimitable voice, result of her culture, training and experience for more than half a century, has earned a permanent place in the hallow history of Rabindra-Sangit.
Kanika was brought up and educated in the atmosphere of Rabindranath's Asrama since her childhood, and her talents have been nourished and nurtured here. She was trained in both classical and Rabindra Sangit in Sangit Bhavana of this University. She had the good fortune of being trained in music by Gurudeva himself. Among other teachers were Dinendranath Tagore, Indira Devi Chowdhurani, Sailajaranjan Majumdar and Santidev Ghosh. She took part in dance-dramas directed by Rabindranath and toured all over the important cities of India as a member of the cultural troupe led by Tagore.
Kanika joined Sangit Bhavana as a teacher and in due course of time became the Head of the Department and then its Principal. Even after her retirement she remains a part of the University as Professor Emeritus.
Since 1943 Kanika was a regular artiste of the Calcutta station of All India Radio and later gave performances at national level in the musical programmes arranged by other stations as honored artiste. Her gramophone records came out even in the life time of Tagore and nearly three hundred records are there to her credit since then. Besides Rabindra Sangit, she wasalsoan outstanding singer of Bhajan, Nazrulgiti and Atulprasad Songs.
Kanika Devi was invited to sing by Programme Organizers not only in India but also in Europe and America and was acclaimed everywhere for her unique rendering of the subtle nuances of Rabindranath's feelings in his lyrical compositions. Her contributions to popularization of Rabindra Culture and Rabindra Sangit were also noteworthy. Documentary films on her life and career have been made by noted directors. She authored three books on Rabindra Sangit.
She was associated with Elmhirst Institute of Community Studies, Santiniketan, to serve her egalitarian purposes.
The following awards conferred on her on different occasions are worth mentioning.
In 1973 - Reception was accorded by Bengal Federation of Journalists' Association. In 1978 - EMI Group brought out Golden Disc. In 1979 - Sangit Natak Academy conferred their prestigious award. In 1986 - India Government honored her with Padmashree. In 1991 - Tagore Reserch Institute, Calcutta, conferred on her title, Rabindra Tattvacharya. In 1993 - Government of West Bengal accorded her a ceremonious welcome. In 1994 - Bangladesh Government and Dhaka University honored her with cordial invitation and grand reception. In 1996 - She was awarded Shiromoni Puraskar. In 1997 - Rabindra Bharati University has nominated her for the Akademy award of State Sangit Natak Academy. Visva Bharati University conferred the highest degree, Deshikottam on her.
Santidev Ghosh was born on 7 May, 1910, at Chandpur, now in
Bangladesh. He came to Santiniketan at a very early age of six months. He joined
Rabindranath’s Ashram Vidyalaya at the age of four. Gurudev himself imparted training
to young Santidev. He also received training from Dinendranath Tagore. It was Rabindranath
who changed Santimoy’s name to Santidev Ghosh.
Young Santidev showed great promise from a very early age. He attained great proficiency in music, dance and acting. Santidev Ghosh joined Visva – Bharati in 1930. He was shifted to Sangeet Bhavan in 1939. He became a lecturer there in 1952. Later, he became Reader and head of the department of Rabindrasangeet and Dance. He was greatly admired by his contemporaries and students. He was known for his amiable manners. He had the ability to strike an instant rapport with the audience. He was greatly instrumental in popularising Rabindrasangeet among younger generation. Apart from the notations, he would instill a different meaning to the songs without deviating a bit. He became the principal of Sangeet Bhavan twice; from 1964 to 1968 and from 1971 to 1973. He has numerous records to his credit which are living testimonies of his golden voice. He had the ability to transport one to a different world through his renditions. Santidev Ghosh was skilled at Dhrupadi sangeet and folk music too. Santidev visited various countries like Java, Bali and Sri Lanka to spread Gurudev’s message of love, peace and love for nature.
In 1980, Santidev directed and produced Rabindranath’s Tasher Desh. In order to retain the purity of the play he himself acted in the role of Rajputra at the age of 70. Such was his reverence and dedication for Tagore. He has several records and cassettes to his credit. He has also written more than 100 articles on Tagore. He has also written many books. Some of his well-known books are – Rabindrasangeet, Java o Balir Nrityageet, Rupakar Nandalal, Bharatiya Gramin Sanskriti, Purnanga Sikshdarsha Sangeet o Nritya.
He got the special Russian Medal in 1961. He became the Fellow of
Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1976. He also got the Ananda Puruskar. He was also bestowed the
Rabindra Tattvacharya Award by the Tagore Research Society. In 1980, the Rabindra Bharati
Society conferred on him the Rathindra Puraskar. He received the Padma Bhusan in 1985. He
was conferred the Desikottama by the Visva Bharati in 1985. He received eighth Siromoni
Puraskar in 1990. Rabindra Bharati University honoured him with a Honorary D. Litt the
same year and Burdwan University. He was awarded the Tamperaphalak by the State Government
in 1981.
He is no more with us but his wonderful, vibrant rendition of Tomay natun kore pabo bole,
oi asanatale matir pore lutiye rabo etc still reverberates among the Rabindrasangeet
lovers. No wonder, he became an icon in his lifetime.
