Remembering Bengal’s queen of melody, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay

Legendary Bengali singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay passed away at the age of 90 on February 15, following a massive cardiac arrest, leaving behind legions of mourning fans across borders.

She was born and brought up in Kolkata, and took her first singing lessons from her parents Narendranath Mukhopadhyay and Hemaprabha Devi. She was a trained classical singer, who with equal ease took to different forms of singing — from playback to folk songs, Rabindra Sangeet, and bhajans.

"The love of my listeners is my greatest award".

Sandhya Mukhopadhyay to Indian media, two days before she was hospitalised.

Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, through a legacy of over 280 songs, took Bengali songs to new heights, whether it was playback singing for films or songs released during Durga Puja.

Her first recording was in 1945 and her first album of Durga Puja songs was released in 1948. Soon, she got offers for playback singing in Bengali films. Her first playback singing was for the film, "Samapika", released in 1948.

She went on to sing for around 17 Hindi films before returning to Kolkata and settling there as an eminent playback singer in Bengali cinema. Her most significant duets were with Bengali singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, especially when she did playback for renowned actress Suchitra Sen.

 She worked with leading music directors, including SD Burman, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Anil Biswas and Salil Chowdhury. Some of her iconic songs are "Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy", "Madhumaloti Dake Aaye", "E Shudhu Gaaner Din", "Ghum Ghum Chand", and "Ke Tumi Aamare Dako", among many others.

Lovingly called "Gitasree", Sandhya Mukhopadhyay received the National Film Award for best female playback singer for the films, "Sandhya Deeper Sikha" (1965) and "Jay Jayanti" (1972).

Among countless other accolades, she was conferred West Bengal government's highest recognition, Banga Bibhushan, in 2011.

The eminent songstress had turned down the Padma Shri.

 Sandhya Mukhopadhyay will be remembered by millions for her role in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

In Kolkata, she was actively involved in creating awareness about the issues of the people of the then East Pakistan. She helped musician Samar Das in setting up the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, which played a crucial role in relaying Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's message to the people.

Her songs for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra were crucial in Bangladesh's Liberation War as they motivated the Mukti Bahini soldiers and also mobilised the masses by creating a patriotic fervour.

She joined leading artistes to perform concerts free of fee to raise money for the 10 million refugees who were forced to take shelter in India.

In January 1972, when Bangabandhu returned from prison to a newly independent nation, he was greeted by the song "Bangabandhu phire elo tomar, swapner swadhin Banglai", on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.

It was a powerful reminder of the sufferings and sacrifices Bangladeshis underwent during the Liberation War.

Written by Abidur Rahaman and composed by Sudhin Dasgupta, one of the most prolific composers from West Bengal, the song was made memorable by the beautiful voice of Sandhya Mukhopadhyay.

Unfortunately, her recent refusal of the Padma Shri and the controversy that ensued, is probably what made her known to the rest of the world, when she deserved to be an international legend, rather than simply a Bengali icon.

The eminent songstress represented an entire era in Bengal, where love was expressed through songs, and love songs necessarily meant Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Sandhya Mukhopadhyay duets. She was clearly aware of her stature, and that is why she had the courage to refuse the award.

Intriguingly, there were rumours that Lata Mangeshkar and Sandhya Mukhopadhyay shared a bitter relationship — and because of the relationship, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay could not establish herself in Bollywood. However, in her autobiography published in 2001, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay had stated that those rumours were complete lies.

Reportedly, the two singers shared a great bond with each other, and Sandhya Mukhopadhyay chose to be in Kolkata herself. She sang the duet "Bol papiha bol" with Lata Mangeshkar in the 1951 film, "Taraana".

Pitting the two singing legends against each other is unnecessary, as noted by celebrated Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya. "Like Lata Mangeshkar, Sandhya Mukherjee (Mukhopadhyay) was the incarnation of Saraswati. These voids can never be filled," he told Indian media yesterday.

Although Sandhya Mukhopadhyay's importance in the world of music can be talked about for days on end, her greater legacy was that of a humble artiste, whose passion for her craft was unparalleled. Her melodies will continue to inspire musicians for generations to come.