Bhoomi performs live in Dhaka.Photo: Mumit M.Bhoomi (literally 'earth') is a contemporary Kolkata-based folk-fusion band. It was formed in 1999, with an aim to revive interest in the folk music of Bengal and make it popular with an urban touch. Recently the band performed live in Dhaka. Surojit Chatterjee and Soumitra Roy -- two founding members of the band -- talked to The Daily Star during their stay in Dhaka. They shared notes about the band's journey, inspiration and the contemporary music scenario in Kolkata.
Bhoomi defines its music as 'urban folk'. Alongside re-imagining of traditional songs, the band fuses modern, urban lyrics with folk tunes. Bhoomi's popularity is rooted in a unique sound that combines a variety of traditional folk tunes with an array of western rhythms.
So far the band has released 10 albums, including "Jatra Shuru" (2000), "Udaan" (2001)," Paal Chhutechhe" (2003), "Bojhai Kora Gaaner Gari" (2005) and " Notun Jouboner Doot" (2009). The latest is an album of Rabindra Sangeet.
What about their 11th album? Soumitra said, "Ten albums in ten years. I think that's enough. We'd bring out the 11th album after a gap."
Soumitra informed that the concert in Bangladesh was their 1,333rd stage show and, interestingly enough, it was the first ever performance in Bangladesh. "It was great performing here. The response from the audience was tremendous," said Soumitra.
In July 2006 Bhoomi became the first Indian band to play at the United Nations.
Songs such as "Barandaye Roddur", "Kandey Shudhu", "Dil Doriya Rey", "Madhur Madhur Chauni", "Mone Aar Nairey", "Dushtu Haowa", "Chokhar Deshey" and "Poob Akasher Gaan" are some of the band's popular songs.
Their current line-up includes six members -- Soumitra (vocals, drums and congas), Surojit (vocals, guitar, mandolin and flute), Sanjoy Mukherjee (percussion and effects), Hemanto Goswami (electric guitar), Abhijit Ghosh (bass guitar) and Robin Lai (keyboards and violin).
The band's single "Barandaye Roddur" from their debut album caught the attention of urban listeners. The song catapulted the group to new heights of stardom. Later the members of the band were hosted on a musical programme, titled "Barandaye Roddur" on ETV Bangla (an Indian chanel).
Surojit thinks that a change in the contemporary music scenario in Kolkata is apparent nowadays. The number of college-based bands and musical troupes are growing rapidly in Kolkata and some of them are surviving as well. "When we were students, one or two musical groups were apparent but at present you will find the number has increased to six/ seven," said Surojit.
He acknowledges Bangladeshi rock culture, as he thinks it is inspirational.
Surojit enthusiastically reminisced on his mentor the late Gautam Chattopadhay -- the founder of Kolkata's first rock band Moheener Ghoraguli, who is widely considered the pioneer of rock music in Kolkata.
"I believe that Gautam is the mentor of rock music in Kolkata. His 'Prithibita Naki' -- that was covered by another Kolkata band Krosswindz in 'Abar Bochhor Kuri Porey' -- is a revival in the history of Kolkata rock music," claimed Surojit.
Gautam penned the song when he was around 60 and according to Surojit he was "ageless." "If we did not jam in three/four days in a row, he would lecture us on the need for practice," Surojit said.
