Radharaman Dutta

Radharaman Dutta (Bengali: রাধারমণ দত্ত) (1833–1915), also spelt as Radha Raman Dutta, born in Jagannathpur Upazila, Bangladesh, was an influential Sylheti dhamail music composer[1] and lyricist.[2] A prominent Baul (mystic minstrel), Dutta's body of work has led him to be considered "the father of dhamal songs";[3] his music is widely performed by modern Bengali musicians.

Personal life and family

In 640, the Raja of Tripura Dharma Fa planned a ceremony and invited five Brahmans from Etawah, Mithila and Kannauj. To compensate for their long journey, the Raja granted the Brahmans land in a place which came to be known as Panchakhanda (meaning five parts). One of the five Brahmans, Ananda Shastri of Mithila, was the ancestor of Nidhipati Shastri. In 1195, the King of Tripura granted Nidhipati some land in Ita. Ita was feudal to the Kingdom of Tripura and part of its Manukul Pradesh.[4] Nidhipati became the founder of the Ita dynasty which would later gain a Raja status through his descendant, Bhanu Narayan. Bhanu Narayan's son, Ramchandra Brahma Narayan had a son called Prabhakar Dutta. In 1612, after Khwaja Usman's successful battle against the last Ita Raja, Subid Narayan, the royal family fled to nearby kingdoms in the Sylhet region. Prabhakar flees to Alisarkul (village in Srimangal) before seeking refuge in the Jagannathpur Kingdom. The King of Jagannathpur, Raja Vijay Singh allowed Prabhakar to live in the Keshabpur village. Later, Prabhakar's son, Sambhu Das Dutta, is made a minister under Vijay Singh. After the defeat of the Jagannathpur Kingdom by the Baniyachong Raja Habib Khan, the Dutta family decided to stay away from politics in order to protect themselves. Sambhu's son, Radha Madhab Dutta engaged himself in Sanskrit and Bengali literature. He translated Jayadeva's Gita Govinda into the Bengali language in addition to writing and composing famous songs and poems.[4]

Radharaman Dutta was born on May 25, 1833 in a Kayastha family in village of Keshabpur in Jagannathpur Upazila in Sunamganj District , Bangladesh. The youngest son of lyricist Radha Madhab Dutta, Dutta displayed a musical temperament from childhood. The early death of his father led Dutta to seek the approval of religious mentors throughout his life.[3] Dutta's Vaishnavism (worship of Krishna) shaped his musical work and led him to a life of asceticism; he lived for some time in a house that amounted to little more than a seven-square-foot of mud-hut. Dutta was also heavily influenced by the Sufism that infuses Baul culture.[5] Raman died in 1915. He was survived by his only son Bipin Bihari Dutta.

Cultural influence

Radharaman Datta wrote and composed over 3,000[6] songs in the Baul tradition[5] and was known in particular for his "Geets" and "Dhamal" songs - compositions to traditional dance forms. He has been cited as the creator of the Dhamail art form.[5] Dutta's compositions are performed today in weddings all over Bangladesh. Many popular Bengali songs of today were written originally by Radha Raman and his songs are sung by modern professional musicians in Bangladesh[7] and in West Bengal, India.

Dutta's most popular song, "Bhromor Koio Giya", was copied by Romanian singer Liviu Mititelu, for which it is called 'Vorbesc Cu tine Nu Ma Auzi'. This cover version was also a copy of the composition by Armeen Musa's first version of the original song.

Tajik singer Noziya Karomatullo (Нозияи Кароматулло) has also covered it in Tajik. The title of her cover version is Kujo Kujo.

Famous songs by RadhaRaman
  • Bhromor Koio Giya
  • Kare Dhekabo Moner Dhukko
  • Sham Chikon Kalia
  • Bologo Bologo Shoki
  • Moneh nai Moneh nai
  • Jole Jaio na Gho Rai
  • Oh Bashi re
  • Sham Na Ki Cholila
  • Jole Gia Chilam Shoi
  • Ami Robo na Robo na Grihe
  • Kalai Pranti Nilo (Bashiti Bajaiya)
  • Amar Bondhu Doyamoy
  • Jugol Milon Hoilo Go
  • pap ar punno, kori tare manno
  • ketore shikhailo radha namtire
  • Aamar galar haar khule ne ogo Lalite
  • Amare Ashibar Kotha Koiya
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References
  1. Ahmad, Sabrina F. (2006-05-23). "Mystical Sufi music staging a comeback". Star Lifestyle. The Daily Star. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  2. "Folk musical soiree in Barisal". The Daily Star. 2005-07-25. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  3. Siddiquee, Iqbal (2008-03-04). "Radha Raman Utshab held in Sylhet". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  4. Choudhury, Achyutcharan. "1". Sreehatter Itibritta – Purbangsho (A History of Sylhet), Part 2. 1. Mustafa Selim; Source publication, 2004.
  5. Mahmud, Jamil (2008-04-03). "Radharaman Utsab '08 at TSC". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  6. bn:রাধারমণ দত্ত
  7. Bulbon, Sheikh Arif (2007-06-21). "3rd round of talent hunt for top 10 bauls". The New Nation. Archived from the original on 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
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