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Ramkumar Chattopadhyay

Other names of Ramkumar Chattopadhyay: Ramkumar Chatterjee

Overview

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DOB : 1921
Date of death: 18-03-2009
Lived For : 87 Years
Gender : Male

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Written By - Team Nettv4u

Ramkumar Chattopadhyay was born in the year 1921 in Bengal. Ramkumar Chatterjee is one of the greatest exponents of Bengali Tappa, Puratoni Bangla Gaan, and Bangla Baithaki Gaan. The Bengali Tappa or Baithaki Gaan as some prefer to call this music because of its patronage by the Zamindaars and rich Babus, reached its crescendo in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This was a heavily lyric based music where the songs were mostly humorous and cynical. The Bangla Baithaki gaan was a little more evolved intellectually and had a classier outfit as it was nurtured in the Baithak Khanas and Naachghars of the Zamidaar houses. Ramkumar Chatterjee is a master craftsman of this genre. He researched and modified the Bengali Tappa to a different level.

Ramkumar Chatterjee has been a critical element in taking these songs out of the Zamindar’s houses and, recording them and, popularizing them among the masses. Many of his songs had a satirical element that mocked at various social issues as well as made subtle fun about the British Raj as well. This album “Puratoni Bengali Songs” has a classic example of such a satirical song, “Kader Kuler Bou”. This song had an English version also sung by Ramkumar Chatterjee and the literal transition is “Madam whose family do you belong to?,” and this was a direct satire made for an English lady in those era.

There is another classic example from the above compilation that has an immediate reference to the Eshop’s Tales. This song is titled “Ekoda ek Bagher Golay”. All songs in these genres of Bengali Tappa or Bengali Puratoni Songs were a raging hit amongst the masses and became evergreen hits. One of the most famous lyricists of Bengali Tappa was this person named Nidhu Babu. Ramkumar Chatterjee and Nidhu Babu’s combination was an instant hit, and they have worked together for many such mass hits. A classic Nidhu Babu Ramkumar Chatterjee example from this above compilation is “Bidhi Dilo Jadi”. These were phenomenal hits and that is what makes this compilation such rich and beautiful. Ramkumar was truly a magical and fabulous singer. His devotional and musical voice is truly indeed to remember a lifetime. He took his last breath on 18th March 2009. He was a truly a legend in the music industry. His music will always be in the hearts of people. He will be forever a legend.