Debabrata Biswas
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Debabrata Biswas | |
---|---|
দেবব্রত বিশ্বাস | |
Born | |
Died | 18 August 1980 Calcutta, West Bengal, India | (aged 68)
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | George-da |
Occupation | Vocalist |
Years active | 1940–1971 |
Known for | Rabindra Sangeet singer |
Website | www |
Debabrata Biswas (also known as George Biswas and George-da; 22 August 1911 – 18 August 1980) was an Indian Rabindra Sangeet singer.[1][2][3][4][5]
Early life
[edit]Biswas was born in 1911 in Barisal. He then moved to Kishoreganj in the Mymensingh district of Bengal province in British Colonial India. Around the time of Biswas' birth, King George V was visiting India for the Delhi Durbar, so he was nicknamed George, popularly called George Biswas and George Da.[6]
Career
[edit]Biswas' music was primarily noted for his interpretation and use of Tagore's lyrics.[citation needed] His earlier 1940s gramophone recordings of Tagore songs, though still regarded as soulful and expressive, demonstrated stricter adherence to the traditional music rules, which he would subvert later in his career during the early 1960s. [citation needed]
His vocal range and variety of tempo and rhythm created renditions that were integral to Bengali musical culture of the time. Biswas sang Rabindra Sangeet in Sanskrit, English, German, French, and Russian.[citation needed] He received training in foreign language at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata.[citation needed]
Filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak worked with Biswas for song selection & playback of Tagore songs for a few of his films.[citation needed] Biswas was actively engaged with the Indian People's Theatre Association for a long period.[citation needed] He sang a few songs set to music by Salil Choudhury, Hemanga Biswas, and Jyotirindra Moitra. Biswas also recorded songs during the liberation movement of Bangladesh. Kazi Nazrul Islam himself served as Biswas's trainer when Biswas recorded songs by Nazrul.[citation needed]
Conflict
[edit]Biswas caught the attention of authorities from 1964 onward due to the liberties he took by challenging the accepted tune-notations, scansion, tempo, beat, and rhythms commonly associated with Tagore lyrics. Additionally, he implemented Western musical instruments for the purpose of accompaniment and interlude--a practice that he continued until his death. He challenged the sensibilities of Tagore song listeners with the use of the Spanish guitar, the saxophone, the clarinet, the piano, and the cello, along with the sitar, the sarod, the esraj, and the violin. Despite these departures from tradition, Biswas retained notability among a diverse population.
In the later part of the 1960s, many of his records were prohibited from commercial production for reasons attributed to wrong spirit, wrong tempo, and other melodic excesses not regarded as harmonious to the purity of Tagore compositions. Although he did brace himself initially to meet the challenge, he retreated later and stopped all record production of his own volition. Despite further controversy, his public live performances continued until he withdrew again at the age of 60 due to a lifelong asthma affliction. His frustrations during this period are detailed in his autobiograpy: Bratya Janer Ruddha Sangit (or, The Stifled Music of an Oucast), published in 1979, a year before his death on 18 August 1980.
References
[edit]- ^ "Biswas, Debabrata - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Debabrata Biswas' birth anniversary celebrations". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ Ghosh, Labonita (23 October 2000). "Rabindranath Tagore's music may finally unshackle with Visvabharati's copyright set to end". India Today. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Bengal remembers Debabrata Biswas on his 103rd birthday". news.webindia123.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Remembering Debabrata Biswas in Dhaka". The New Nation. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ Ronojoy Sen (22 May 2010). "An unequalled music". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
External links
[edit]- Biography at debabratabiswas.in