mousumi
Hello everybody. I am Mousumi, a singer from the heart of bengal, India.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
The Asian Age reported in 1996:
The ambience is the distinctly different. It is not the usual intellectual residence of a well-known performer with a Jamini Roy hanging on the wall, there is a thin distinctive aura of medicine and music rolled in one... Mousumi has emerged as one of the brightest stars of the contemporary Rabindrasangeet scene---- The Asian Age, 16th June,1996.
That was part of the beginning of a career that was so full of passion that I never had the chance of separating my "vocation" from my "vacation".
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I sing in music concerts and have quite a few audio/video casettes/cds in the market as well.
Your musical influences
My musical journey began when I was only four. Late Bhaskar Bhusan Nandi, a disciple of Sri Ramesh Chandra Bandopadhyaya- was my first Guru. It was from him that I inherited the legacy of Sound & Tune. Subsequently I honed my skills in the presence of Shri Nihar Ranjan Bandopadhyaya ( Kheyal, Dhrupad, Dhamar). Smt Maya Sen , Late Subinoy Roy, Kamala Basu (Rabindrasangeet), Biman Mukhopadhyaya (Nazrulgeeti), Smt Dipali Nag (Light Classical), and I was under the guidance of Sushil Chattopadhyaya (Atulprasadi, DL Songs), all of whom were incredible people and amazing teachers. Although I'm equally at home with various songs including Bengali & Hindi Modern Songs, but my first love is Rabindrasangeet.
What equipment do you use?
The Tanpura is what I started with and moved on to the Harmonium. However, all my performances are with my own group of brilliant musicians.
Anything else?
I have been awarded with various prizes, medals in different All-Bengal Competitions, like All Bengal Gyan Goswami Sangeet Competition (1994), Uttam Smriti Award(1995), Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Smriti Talent Search Contest (1995), Siranama Award(Bangla Chalachitra Parishad and Cultural Group 2001), Art Forum Certificate(2003), Tarun Kumar Award (Bangla Chalachitra Prachar 2006), 'Uttam Kumar Award'(July 24, 2006) to name a few. I was also awarded by Kalimata Nath Ashram Dakshineswar in 2002.
My first solo album in Rabindrasangeet - Naba Basanta- was launched in Dec99 from a reputed company, duly approved by the Viswa-Bharati Music Board. Modhur-Choaan, an album of Folksongs, was published by HMV-RPG in Nov2001. My second Tagore-collection Dinanta Belay was released in 2003, followed by Rabindranath-er Nacher Gaan (Cassette, Audio CD, VCD) in 2005 by Raga Music. Apart from these, I lent my voice to several albums like Beshi Kichhu Chaina, Debi Pith Ekannya Pith, etc. I sang for various TV Serials, like Nayak, Shrimati, Shudhu Tomari Jonyo, Upasana (ETV), Som Theke Shukru, Kobikotha (Akash), Purabi, Surere Ei Jharnadharay (Zee Bangla), Bhranti-Bilash(Doordarshan) to name a few. My first break as a play-back singer was in Raja Sens film Chakrabyuha.I completed my Senior Diploma in Vocal & Rabindrasangeet from Prayag Sangeet Samity. I am an enlisted artist of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Govt. of India, ICCR, Dept of Youth Welfare, West Bengal State Music Academy, Dept of Sports and Culture, Rabindrasadan, Viswa-Bharati Music Board, Rajya Charukala Parishad, Govt. of West Bengal, Artist of All India Radio, Doordarshan and various TV Channels like E-TV, Zee Bangla, etc. I have performed in all types of Govt. sponsored Music Festivals like Biswa Bangla Sammelan, Bangla Sangeet Mela, Bible Society and the like.
THE CRITICS SAY:
Her intense involvement with what she renders her excellent timberEqually honeyed is the pathos--- The Telegraph
"WHAT MAKES MOUSUMI DIFFERENT FROM THE CROWD?
To start with her melodious voice, there is a tonal quality with wide range; she has her fair share of flair including synchronization with the Music but the flare is above average and at times bordering on outstanding."
Anything else?? well, you can check out my webpage/blog:
http://monsoonmusic.blogspot.com
