A simple Google search
doesn't yield anything satisfactory other than suggestions for a herbal
medicine. Well, that makes sense. The character is a masterpiece in itself and
probably like all other genius of their time, he too will be remembered after
building a legacy of his own. A song writer, musician, actor and a
person allegedly walking on the tightrope of sanity, spawning some of the greatest work of art via his music.
The transformation from "Bhoomika" to "Janla Kholo"
has indeed questioned many a aspects of the way we see, listen and perceive
music. Are these really a transformation of what we ourselves heading towards
or do they represent the constant tussle between the conscious and
subconscious? Is this what we really want or what we get? Lots and lots
of question. This particular capability of a person probably defies the boundaries in all sense. An aura of mystery is always intriguing and he has a flair
for it.
An ensemble of musical entities this person possess. The melodious baul
complemented by the eccentric "Janla Kholo". If "Fish
Fish" was his ultimate tryst with insanity, the "Langta
Bura" crossed all boundaries of social, spiritual and off course
musical strata. They each constitute the bricks of a solid foundation. Enabling
him to flirt with sanity or rather the insanity within himself. "Pagol,
ke na pagol!" as he so convincingly portrays in his music.
Does it remind you of someone else? A person with the very similar traits
albeit being a legend himself. A musician to the heart, not alone a songwriter
or the guitarist, who plays with the very essence of it, believing only in his
instincts. Someone who after having a bitter departure from Pink Floyd
came up with the fascinating album "The Madcap Laughs". and songs like "Dominoes" from the album "Barret". A
pioneer in psychedelic folk genre, who went into self imposed seclusion lasting
30 years while composing some of the great numbers of that time. His legacy
notwithstanding we have amongst us someone who in his humble capacity conjuring
a completely different genre. A genre which amongst many others is his own. He
is none other than Shilajit Majumdar and within my limited capacity, I must say he is
the Syd Barret of our times.
"Akta Raat" comes first to mind. A singles, to be technically correct, although spanning a good 40 minutes. Not sure how many of those do we get to see these days. None by far. An album composing an evening of "adda, gaan" . 40
minutes of Shilajit unplugged. Different locations, ambiance
and mood is captured throughout the journey. You wouldn't regret after hearing
it though. The album encompasses many a good numbers. "Swadhinota"
being one of the really good melodious one and that too with a provocative yet
subtly beautiful lyric. In one of the informal "adda" Shilajit
quips "janis kukur e ekmatro prani
jeta gaite pare" roughly translates to "you know what, dog is
the only animal which can actually sing." and then goes on to
explaining it with a crisp example. I am not sure whether he is planning to
introduce a full fledged number with a dog next but at least he can draw
inspiration from Roger Waters, having strong influence from Barret then,
after the latter's departure in 69 and the former in 71 introducing "Seamus".
“Ami urte cheyechilam” holds a very special place in my heart for its
lyrics and the beautiful transformation of music you would not imagine in your
wildest dreams. Album is the infamous “Fish
Fish”. “Jhinti” depicts the pain and lust of a lover. “Toder ghum peyeche bari
ja ” is the one to dance with. “Tor
ki phone kharap, amar mon kharap” might become the catch phrase of the
generation next. “Bish diye bhat mekhe
khai”, depicts the irony of having poison with a staple diet. The song
aptly captures the emotional turmoil faced by the protagonist of the movie Bish of Gandu famed Q.
“Nesha” requires a special mention too. The music first appeared in
Bish. The music video again due to the rebellious stance enacted a night
of illicit adventure with explicit visual contents. A feat however unimaginable
that time was executed with a panache by the duo Shilajit and Q.
The list is endless and
prone to innumerable interpretation due to the very eccentric yet subtly
confusing factor called Shilajit. The portrayal of Das babu in Gandu only
affirms the strong artistic base of his. “Le
Pocha”, a documentary based on Bangla
Band courtesy Q, founds him explaining the rebellious nature with his dark humor
and sarcasm at its best. Y2K(Sex Krome Asiteche) a subversive cult movie
from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute directed by Chandril
features him as a roadside-Romeo, drinking hooch and singing "Juicy
Jolie", which itself has strong lyrics to say the least. Thereafter strongly
denouncing the intellectuals by his trademark strong language and probably
signifying the class struggle with a hint towards leftist liberalism.
The opportunities we missed in the 60's and 70’s has come back to haunt us through this musical architect
of our generation. The majority of people may not relish or cherish his music
now apart from the popular numbers. Yet his masterstrokes are hard to ignore by
all. The generation which has grown up on his music needs no introduction or
any other names to recognize the genius in this man but a time will come when a
musical revolution will sweep us again after Gautam Chattopadhay. We will be
reminded again "you and I and dominoes, time goes by...".
