Calcutta Music Blog

Rezwana Chowdhury Banya

Article from WIKIPIDIA
Rezwana Chowdhury Banya (also variously cited as Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya and Rezwana Choudhury Bannya) is a contemporary Rabindrasangeet singer widely hailed in both her native Bangladesh and West Bengal, India as being one of the most versatile exponents of this musical genre. She is often referred to by aficianados solely by her nickname Banya, which translates into English as “deluge”. She is one of the most acclaimed former proteges of Kanika Banerjee.

Tutelage at Visva Bharati

Banya has been singing from a very early age. According to an autobiographical account published in an online journal in 2001, as long as she remembered she dreamt of learning Rabindrasangeet at Visva-Bharati University, the university set up by Rabindranath Tagore on his ancestral property using money awarded for his Nobel Prize. Visva Bharati, to this day, remains a major center for learning Rabindra Sangeet in West Bengal, the other major university in India for this genre being Rabindra Bharati University. Over the years, both universities have developed distinctive styles of singing in this genre. Until the Visva Bharati’s copyright of all of Tagore’s songs expired, it was mandatory in India for any singer to obtain permission of the Music Board before cutting a record with songs composed by him. It was no wonder that after Banya completed her initial training from Chhāyānôt in Bangladesh, she wanted to study at Visva Bharati. However, she recounts that she had no intention of making a career out of music, and rather thought she would return to Bangladesh to get a degree in Economics. In the interim she had been admitted to the Bulbul Academy but her training there was cut short in 1971 by the Bangladesh Liberation War. Prior to and during the war, Pakistan suppressed aspects of Bangla language and culture. It was only after Independence that Bangladeshi singers were free to pursue this art form with renewed gusto.

At Visva Bharati, renowned exponents such as Kanika Banerjee, Nilima Sen, Ashesh Bandopadhyay, and Santideb Ghose were her mentors. In her autobiographical account she mentors the respect she had for her mentors at Viswa Bharati, particularly Kanika Banerjee. In addition, she learned other forms of Bangla music such as the folk kirtan and the classical tappa. Among instruments, she can play the harmonium and the esraj.

Critical acclaim

On completing her training, she became recognized as a master in the Visva Bharati style due to her clean rendition, impeccable accent, and her willingness to tackle even the most difficult and least popular songs. She has traveled extensively and has cut numerous albums in many countries, most notably in Bangladesh and India. She also opened Shurer dhara, a school for learning music in Dhaka. In 2002 she was awarded the first Ananda Sangeet Puroshkar for being the best female Rabindra Sangeet artist, a feat she repeated the following year. She currently holds a faculty position in the Department of Theater and Music at the University of Dhaka.

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya Rabindra Sangeet Collection

1. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Aaj Jyotsna Raate Sobai Gechhe Bone.mp3
2. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Aaji Jata Tara Taba Akashe.mp3
3. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Amare Karo Jeebon Dan.mp3
4. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Aamar Mon Jokhon Jaglinare.mp3
5. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Amar Pothe Pothe Pathar Chharano.mp3
6. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Aamar Shesh Paaraneer Kori Konthe Nilem.mp3
7. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Bodhu Kon Alo.mp3
8. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Bhenge Mor Gharer Chabi Niye Jabi Ke Amare.mp3
9. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Bhuboneswar He Mochon Koro He.mp3
10. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Chander Haashir Baadh Bhengechhe.mp3
11. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Dweep Nibe Gechhe Momo Nishitho Samire .mp3
12. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Dure Kothai Dure Dure.mp3
13. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Ebar Amai Dakle Dure.mp3
14. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Ei Udashi Hawoar Pothe Pothe.mp3
15. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Esho Esho Aamar Ghare Eso.mp3
16. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Esho Nipobone Chhaya Bithitole.mp3
17. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Esho Shyamal Sundaro.mp3
18. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Gram Chhara Oi Rangamatir Poth.mp3
19. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Je Chhilo Aamar Swapanocharini.mp3
20. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Ke Go Antarotaro Se.mp3
21. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Kotobar Bhebechhinu Apona Bhuliya.mp3
22. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Madhuro Madhuro Dhwani Baaje.mp3
23. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Mor Bhabonare Ki Hawai Matalo .mp3
24. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Mori Lo Mori Amay Banshite Dekechhe Ke.mp3
25. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Neel Nobo Ghane Aashar Gogone.mp3
26. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - O Manjari O Manjari Aamer Monjori .mp3
27. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Patar Bhela Bhashai.mp3
28. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Rakho Rakho Re Jibone Jibobno Ballabhe.mp3
29. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Rodon Bhhora E Basanta.mp3
30. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Sakhi Bhabona Kahare Bole.mp3
31. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Se Kon Boner Horin Chhilo Amar Mone.mp3
32. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Shangan Gagane Ghor Ghanaghata.mp3
33. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Sukhe Aachhi Sukhe Achhi Sokha Aponmone.mp3
34. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Sukhe Amar Rakhbe Keno.mp3
35. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Tumai Natun Kore Pabo Bole Harai Khone Khone.mp3
36. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Tomar Baas Kotha Je Pothik.mp3
37. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Tomar Dekha Pabo Bole Esechhi Je Sokha.mp3
38. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Tomari Jharna Talar Nirjone.mp3
39. Rizwana Chowdhury Banya - Tumi Je Surer Agun Lagiye Dile Mor Prane.mp3