Kolkata Street Music Festival Season 5
The magic of the Kolkata Street Music Festival Season 5, where street musicians and celebrated artists came together to pay tribute to musical genius Salil Chowdhury. Hosted in the City of Joy, this vibrant celebration of life through music featured soulful performances, cultural icons, and a heartwarming homage to the universal language of mankind—music.
Music, they say, is the one language that needs no translation—a universal dialect that bridges divides and speaks directly to the heart. From the chirping of birds at dawn to the soulful Azaan from the mosque, and the lilting morning prayer songs of the bauls, music weaves its way into every corner of our lives. Even the jaunty, slightly offbeat performances of band party musicians add a certain charm to the vibrant tapestry of street music.
In the City of Joy—Kolkata—this vibrant spirit of music takes on a life of its own. Under the able stewardship of Sudipta Chanda, a noted cultural activist and public relations officer, the Kolkata Street Music Festival has serenaded the city for four glorious seasons. This year, it returned for its fifth instalment, hosted in the chic surrounds of Craft Coffee (Infinity Think Tank), proving once again that Kolkata wears its musical heart on its sleeve.
A Grand Opening
The festival, presented by Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers with support from Craft Coffee, Infinity, Flixbag Music, and other collaborators, opened to much fanfare. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of luminaries such as , Soumya Dasgupta, Rocket Mandal, Rupak Saha (Director of Shyam Sundar Co. Jewellers), and Aninda Das from Infinity, adding a dash of stardust to the proceedings.
A Musical Kaleidoscope
The evening unfolded like a perfectly tuned symphony, featuring performances that celebrated music in all its forms. The violinist-singer duo Sourojyoti-Krishnendu, known as Third Stage, set the tone with the soulful Saraswati Nadi Teere. The students of Riddhi Bandyopadhyay Music Academy followed suit with Prantarer Gaan Amar, while Madhurjo Mukherjee evoked nostalgia with Shono Kono Ekdin.
Chandrima Bhattacharya and Manu took the audience on a journey with Ami Cholte Cholte Theme Gachhi, and Jaya Nag’s rendition of Duranta Ghurnir stirred emotions. Sitartist Shouvik Mukherjee delivered an exquisite instrumental performance, aptly titled Surer Jharna (Fountain of Melody).
In homage to the legendary composer Salil Chowdhury, Soumya Dasgupta played Dur Noy Beshi Dur on the guitar, while Antara Chowdhury captivated the audience with Se Gaan Ami Jai Je Bhule. The iconic Calcutta Youth Choir, founded by the late Ruma Guha Thakurta, uplifted spirits with the stirring choir song Pothe Ebar Namo Sathi.
Tribute to a Genius
The festival paid heartfelt tribute to the genius of Salil Chowdhury on his birth centenary. Noted guitarist-composer Rocket Mandal delivered a touching performance of Salil Sangeet with Chole Je Jay Din, while Bengali band legends Cactus and Shahar added their unique flair. Sidhu from Cactus brought the house down with Dil Tadap Ke, and Anindya from Shahar sang Pagal Hawa, both tracks a testament to Chowdhury’s enduring legacy.
Adding a whimsical touch, Tarun Goswami performed Mon Matal using whistling, a delightful nod to Chowdhury’s versatility. The evening, elegantly anchored by Debashish Basu, was a resounding success.
Music as Celebration
Reflecting on the festival’s ethos, Sudipta Chanda remarked, “This is more than a music festival; it’s a celebration of life itself. By promoting street music and supporting street musicians, we honour the beauty of simplicity and creativity. This year, it was an immense privilege to celebrate Salil Chowdhury, a true musical genius.”
As the curtains came down on the fifth season of the Kolkata Street Music Festival, it was clear that the event had once again struck a perfect chord. For in Kolkata, where music is as much a part of daily life as a cup of tea and a chat over the adda, this festival isn’t just a gathering—it’s a melody that lingers in the heart long after the last note has been played.