Kolkata: A R Rahman has collaborated with the Julladesh Zulfiqer Russell National Award winner to write and lend his voice to two theme songs to celebrate the Calenary gap from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The two songs were recorded at Rahman’s Chennai Studio last year.
Hindi version – ‘bolo joy bangabandhu’ – played at an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh while the song Bengali – ‘aj o shuni bojrodhoni’ – is waiting for release.
This is the first time Rahman has compiled and sang songs in Bengali.
“It was a great honor that they thought of me and came to India to do this.
India and Bangladesh always have a very special relationship.
We share languages ​​- Bengali.
We share bonds, culture,” Rahman said.
Russell was asked by Bangladesh Cricket Board to write two songs in the Centenary Bangabandhu gap.
The CEO of the Cricket Council has introduced a lyrician expert to Agent Rahman and, after the initial Skype meeting, Trio meets in Mumbai.
Last year, Russell went to Chennai for a week.
“Happy to have it in Chennai for recording so we can share goods and respond,” said Rahman.
“He knew about Bangabandhu, but wanted to know which aspects of his life could be highlighted in songs.
He had asked me to send him detail about his protest and how he became a ‘father’s father’ in Bangladesh,” said Russell, who also wrote The theme song for 50 years of independence of Bangladesh and official ICC greet songs for the 2011 World Cup.
This research is an important aspect of the project because it gives the basic idea of ​​the theme that will be highlighted by songs.
Apart from biographical and political details, Russell also referred to Cuban leader Fidel Castro: “I have not seen the Himalaya.
But I have seen Sheikh Mujib.
He is the Himalaya in personality and courage.
Thus I have experience watching the Himalaya.” While writing, Rahman tried to be “more sensitive” to the “instrument” he used and the “melody” he chose.
“Especially when singing in Bengali, there are many iterations back and forth on pronunciation.
So, we want to make sure we do it right,” Rahman said.
“He seeped so much passion while singing Chorus: ‘Aajo Shuni, Bojrodhoni Haway Haway Resh / Joy Bangla, Joy Bangla, Joy Bangladesh’.
It still feels hard to believe that two songs written by me have been compiled and sung by R Rahman.
This has been Give my job significance of history, “said Russell.