Manabendra Mukhopadhyay was a singer and composer. He was born in 1931 in Kolkata. His father's name was Atulchandra Mukhopa dhyay.
It is considered that during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s the Bengali modern songs reached its peak of excellence and that period is usually referred to as the Golden Age of Bengali Adhunik Songs. At that time Bengal had a unique mix of singers which inspired composers and lyricists to create innumerable treasures of creative music. Each singer had his own inimitable style and compositions were made to match their individual ability. Bengali non-film modern songs were in fact was as popular, if not more, than film songs which also reached a level of popularity in the 1950s and 1960s.
Coming to limelight in the early 1950s, Manabendra was an innovative and stylish singer who had a strong foundation in Indian classical music. With his distinctive voice, Manabendra was an instant hit with the audience, demonstrating great talent also as a composer, using the lyrics and melody of a song with good effect. At that time Bengali modern songs world had the presence of some outstanding performers like Shri. Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Shri. Manna Dey, Shri. Satinath Mukherjee, Shri. Akhil Bandhu Ghosh, Shri. Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, to name a few.
Being inspired by uncle Shri. Siddhheshwar Mukherjee and Shri. Ratneswar Mukherjee, Manabendra impressed the listeners with his first basic disc in 1953, titled Nai Chondon Lekha Sriradhar Chokhe Nai Nai Shyamo Rai. He released his two records named Phire Dekho Na and Janina Tumi Kothay in association with HMV. The lyrics were written by Shri. Siddhheswar Mukhopa dhay. It was based on Kirtan Andaz, and Manabendra was trained towards Kirtans, Bhajans and Bhaktigeeti from the very early childhood. His uncles were trained classical experts and mainly due to their influence he came into the world of music. A number of his songs began to hit the airwaves including the romantic Emni Kore Porbe Mone (Lyrics: Shri. Shyamal Gupta), and semi classically bent Ghumayona Saheli Go.
Within a short span, Manabendra drew the attention of the erstwhile leading music composers of Bengal, namely Shri. Salil Chowdhury, Shri. Sudhin Dasgupta, Shri. Robin Chatterji, Shri. Anol Chatterji, Shri. Nochiketa Ghosh, Shri. Probir Mojumdar, Pandit. Shri. Gyan Prakash Ghosh, Shri. Abhijeet Banerjee, and others. His successful songs include Ami Parini Bujhite Parini and Jodi Jante composed by Shri. Salil Chowdhury; Mayur Konthi Ratero Nile and Tari Churite Je Rekhechhi Mon Shona Kore by Shri. Sudhin Dasgupta; Jodi Amake Dekho Tumi Udashi and Sei Chokh Kothai Tomar by Shri. Abhijit Banerjee; Ei Neel Nirjan Sagore by Shri. Probir Majumdar; Birohini Chiro Birohini by Shri. Himangshu Dutta; Bone Noy Mone Mor, Aha Na Roy Na by Dr. Shri. Nachiketa Ghosh; Tomar Pother Prante Moner Monideep Jele Rekhechi and Tumi Phiraye Diyechho Bole by Shri. Satinath Mukherjee.
His own compositions also continued to grab the attention of audience like Ami Eto Je Tomai Bhalobesechhi, Sei Bhalo Ei Basanta Noi, Rimjhim Baje Manjira Kar, Kato Asha Niye Tumi Esechhile, etc., The former became a huge hit and is cherished by audience even today. The proof of this is in the fact that many audio compilations from HMV still includes this song and it is played by many radio stations.
Manabendra made a debut in the film arena by becoming the music director for Mahanayak Shri. Uttam Kumar's film Chapadangar Bou (1954), where the songs were written by eminent writer Shri. Tarashankar Bandyopa dhyay. Before this, he did a cameo in a Uttam Kumar starrer film Saare Chuattor and also sang a song. In Chapadangar Bou, Manabendra brought in the flavour of Mahadev's Gajon, that are sung in villages in Bengal with the song - Shibo Hey Shibo Hey. According to Manabendra (in an old television interview - Kothaye O Shure), he gave his audition as a music director at Shri. Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay's house as the writer wanted to hear the tunes. The song mentioned earlier was composed at his house on spot.
In 1958, Shri. Robin Chattopadhyay composed music for a film titled Lalu Bhulu, the story of two handicapped boys. The film was highly successful in Bengal and Manabendra sang these songs with great efficiency - Jar Hiya Akasher Nil Nilimay, Dukho Amar Shesh Kore Dao Probhu, Surjo Tomar Sonaar Toron Kholo, Dukher Pothe Naai Jodi, Ei Pran Jharona Jaglo. The lyrics were penned by Shri. Sailen Ray.
In another film Nilachale Mahaprabhu, celebrated composer Shri. Raichand Boral invited him to sing kirtans of Lord Chaitanya and the song Jagannath Jagat Bandhu made the audiences spellbound. However, Manabendra credits a song in Nabajanma - Ore Mon Majhi to be his first hit in films.
Manobendra himself composed music in a number of Bengali films including Mayamrigo, Badhu, Jato Mat Tato Path, Joy Jayanti, Godhuli Belay, Sudur Niharika etc., Due to Manabendra's classical potential composers showed the courage of composing pure classical numbers in Bengali films like Rajoni Pohale Sojoni Kothay by Shri. Anil Bagchi in the film Shashibabur Sangsar, Andhare by Pandit. Shri. Gyan Prakash Ghosh in the film Basant Bahar.
In the 1970s also, Manabendra had sung notable songs like Ei Ganga Sei Padda, Halka Megher Palki, Hajar Jonom Dhore, Oi Moushumi Mon Shudhu Rong Bodlai, etc. In the 1980s Manabendra concentrated on Nazrul Geeti and Bagbajarer Gaan and there also emerged as a winner. Shri. Manabendra Mukherjee's songs in Bagbajarer Gaan include the creations of late eighteenth century written by Shri. Bhola Moira, Shri. Khirod Prasad, Shri. Girish Chandra Ghosh etc., titled Bagbajarer Sidheswarir Annopurnar Ghat, Bandhona Torikhani, Jaigo Oi Bajae Bashi Pran Kemon Kore, Ki Diye Pujibo Bolo Ki Achhe Amar, etc. He portrayed the style of singing that used to be exhibited 100 years back at the shore of Ganges in Kolkata. The songs show the other dimension of Shri. Manabendra Mukherjee.
He was married to Smt. Bela Mukhopadhyay and father to Smt. Manasi Mukhopadhyay who is a renowned singer in her own rights at present.
He passed away, in peace, on January 19 in 1992.
January 19 marked the 25th death anniversary of Manabendra Mukhopa dhyay.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
