Songs of Rajanikanta

Songs of Rajanikanta is known as Kantageeti. In the history of modern Bangla songs, Rajanikanta is regarded as one of the top five lyricists. The main theme of Rajanikanta's songs is to admire the God profoundly. These devotional songs are enriched by emotional elements expressed by simple but charming words. In his most famous song `Tumi nirmal karo mabgol kare malin marma muchhaye (please clean my dirty soul by your propitious hands), he expressed his fervidity to the God to rescuer him from sins and sorrows and to forgive everyday mistakes. Such popular songs have a great appeal as the inner message of the lyrics expresses profound admiration and total surrender to the God as well reveals his apathy towards worldly interests in life.

Rajanikanta also composed many songs of other categories. In the backdrop of the Partition of Bengal in 1905, he wrote many patriotic songs to inspire the people in strengthening the anti-partition movement. Young people specially the students used to perform his this type of songs before the mass people. Inflexed by another top lyricist dwijendra lal roy (DL Roy), Rajanikanta also inspired to compose humorous songs. He also composed many lyrics on love and nature.

The songs of Rajanikanta are very rich as all basic musical elements of Bengal were incorporated there. One can trace the moods and tunes of kirtan, baul. ramprashadi , panchali and other traditional songs while listening his compositions. He had no experience of learning music or overseas exposure like other top lyricists Rabindranath Tagore and D L Roy. For that reason, Kantigeeti lacks variation of tune, but thematically its simple express in easily reaches to the core of the listener's hearts.

Kantageeti is popular in Bangladesh. At present, the mass media of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India broadcast the song of Rajanikanta, which has also been included in the syllabus of the Department of music in universities. [Khan Md. Sayeed]

See also sen, rajanikanta.