Music Heals: An analysis of Aami Ashbo Phirey Soundtrack

Hello everyone ! This is my first blog post , something for which I really wondered how to initiate, and finally I can say I have something to talk about and express to all.

For the past month and presently, a bengali music album is creating a lot of buzz on social media and is being appreciated and praised by one and all- the album named "Aami Ashbo Phirey" comprising 7 songs, written by the 'byomkesh-man' Anjan Dutt (who has also been a rock musician and songwriter over the last 2 decades) and composed by the national award winning music director Neel Dutt. The album consists of songs that invoke simple yet touching depictions of today's world and the daily chores in a common man's life. 

Songs that talk of 'another' crisis in the Middle East and 'another' outrage in the neighbourhood and yet at a roadside restaurant someone is cooking "ভাত-ডাল"- a recipe so common in a bengali household. Songs that show how in today's world which is presently in a highly tumultuous situation with riots, social stigmas and consequent repurcussions, rapes, murders and other heinous crimes being the order of the day, one has to live with a peaceful mind and hope for another sunrise...another "Shokaal". Songs that tell us that there is no point in maintaining ill-feelings and hatred for one another as our lives are as short as a 'Cigarette' and we'll all be reduced to ashes some day, bidding farewell to all. They talk of the need to overcome attachments towards material objects and other worldly pleasures which are temporary in nature. There are songs that ask us to lift our spirits and enjoy the "elixir of life" and love ourselves first before stepping out and expressing vows of eternal love to others, which are often never meant to be kept. The "Title track" is perhaps the most engripping and intriguing one which talk of broken dreams, premonitions of a violent and dark future and yet stating that he (the speaker) would return to his loved one some day, no matter what the situation may be. The lyrics bring nostalgic memories of Dutt's 1994 song "Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na" (reprised in 2011) where the protagonist expressed his inability to visit his lover's neighbourhood because of "পাড়ার দাদারা". Maybe it is the same guy who has become more mature and has overcome his fears, thereby changing his decision. The title track also speaks about the changing times and how the world is gradually becoming fade, human life becoming monotonous and stressful and yet the "truth"-the facts will remain unchanged at the time of apocalypse. It highlights the ray of hope in each person's life, depicted through the imagery of a man promising to return to the streets of his lover and asking her to wait for him, standing at her balcony. It goes deep into the insights of our hearts and strikes a chord...the chord of HOPE which is the primary motive of survival in today's distasteful and ravaged society and world alike. The musical rendition by Neel Dutt- "Monkharaper bikele" invokes nostalgia in our minds and takes us on a trip down memory lane- to our childhood...our roots. The music in this album is un-stereotypical with respect to the regular Anjan Dutt album we are accustomed to...coming out of the hard rock music and returning with songs that are for the listeners....songs for the common people inspired of regular lives of commoners. They give a realistic and dynamic view of our ownselves through the lines of music. I sincerely request you all to listen to this album and also express my gratitude to the "father-son" duo for giving us such a brilliant collection, which marks their return in making music albums after a long span of 11 years. Moreover, the album also indicates their mature approach and deep analysis of human life with its merry moments as well as the melancholic ones.  

The movie inspired by the album is of the same name as the album is and is releasing 13th April 2018, and is eagerly awaited.

#AamiAshboPhirey  

#thisPoilaBaisakh

Written by : Soumitri Chattopadhyay