Rajbanshi, Indramohan
Rajbanshi, Indramohan (1946-2021) lyricist, composer, teacher and Freedom Fighter. He was born on 26 January 1946 at Dasherkandi village under Khilgaon police station in Dhaka. His father’s name is Navinchandra Rajvanshi, mother Purnachandra Sashi. He was the eldest among 5 brothers and one sister. He studied at Trimohani School, KL Jubilee High School and Sangeet College in Khilgaon. After completing his education, he joined Khilgaon High School as an assistant teacher. Later, he joined Sangeet College as a lecturer in folk music Department in 1974 with the support of late Barin Majumdar. He retired from the service as a professor and principal of the Government Music College.
He was attracted to music since childhood as he was associated with five generations of musical tradition of his family. From 1958 to 1962, he studied music at Bulbul Lalitkala Academy. At that time, he came into close contacts with Ustad Munsi Raisuddin, late Barin Majumdar, Bedaruddin Ahmed Khan, Hasan Ali Khan, Harlal Roy, Abdul Alim and others. Thus, he had the opportunity to get immersed in all branches of music.
Indramohan Rajbanshi was enlisted in Dhaka radio in 1957 as a child singer and in 1965, as a folk singer in the adult category. In the same year, Abdul Latif’s presentation was performed at the Dhaka centre of the Pakistan Television. During the six-point movement in the 1960s, Rajbanshi composed songs about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and performed them at various places. Among his famous songs of that time was ‘Chai Darete Noukachale Mukhe Allaji’, ‘Dekho Bacha Naye Hal Dhairache Gopalganjer Majhi’, ‘Amar Bangladesher Majhi Vai’, ‘Joy Bangla bole Rongin Pal Urai’. During the election of 1970, he wrote many songs about Bangabandhu and performed them at various places. Thus, he came close to Bangabandhu. Encouraged by his mother, he left for India in May for training to participate in the Liberation War. When he first met HT Imam in Kolkata, he encouraged him to work at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. As an artist of this Betar Kendra, he started performing songs from 6 June 1971. He came into close contact with noted artist, Anshuman Roy. His first song on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra was ‘Eso Bhai Desher Gan Gai’ written and composed by Abdul Latif. After the Liberation War, Indramohan Rajbanshi engaged himself in singing songs for radio, TV and films. His notable songs are – ‘Ke Ke Jabi Aayre Chal Baire Aay Bangali’, ‘Biral, Rui Macher Matha Khaiona’, etc.
In 2007, Indramohan Rajbanshi was awarded the World Master title in South Korea. At that time, he wrote, composed and sang the song, ‘Samoy Pailey Bangladeshe Aiyyo Bhindeshi Bandhure’ (If you have time visit Bangladesh O My foreigner friend) in Bengali and English and attracted everyone’s attention. He established an organization called ‘Bangladesh Lok Sangeet Parishad’ to popularize folk music. Besides singing, he also collected thousands of folk songs from over 1,000 artists from different regions. On the occasion of the birth centenary of artist Abbas Uddin, he edited the book ‘Kaljayi Abbas Uddin’. Besides, on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, he wrote and composed 101 songs on various aspects of his life and wrote a book ‘Nitite Sanskritite Tumi Jatir Pita Sheikh Mujib’. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to music, the Government of Bangladesh awarded him with the Ekushey Padak in 2018. His wife is musician Deepti Rajbanshi. They have one daughter and one son.
Indramohan Rajbanshi passed away on 7 April 2021. [Moniruzzaman Shahin]
