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Shefali Ghosh: A trend-setter of regional songs

Ershad Kamol
SHEFALI Ghosh, is a name, familiar to the connoisseurs of folk music. She has been labeled the 'Queen of Regional Songs' as she popularised regional songs of Chittagong in the country and abroad.
Shefali started her music career at the age of seven. She has learnt music from many eminent Ustads and her repertoire comprises Nazrul and modern songs. However, she has basically gained popularity for the dramatic presentation of regional songs on stage with Shyamshundar Baishnab.
Shefali says, 'Shyam da and I always tried to present the songs through dramatic presentations. We spontaneously performed on stage like a couple. His typically interesting gestures, such as tying his hair or his gamcha, were rather entertaining for the audi ence.'
Talking about her duets with Shyam, she says, 'People think that Shamshundar Baishnab and I are couple. However, my husband is Nani Gopal Datt, who always encourages me to do better. I recall an amusing incident when I was with my husband In a rickshaw and Shyam da was travelling in another rickshaw. This didn't go down very well with a music lover who said to Shyam da, 'Dada, why is Bondi with another man?'
'Many contemporary male singers have requested me to perform in duet songs on stage. But, I am not interested as I believe that Shyam da has no replacement. That is why after his death, I have changed my way of presentation. Nowadays, I do not present any
song through dramatic presentation on stage,' she added.
Shefali does not particularly appreciate the music videos based on her duets with Shyam da. She says, 'Some companies have released VCDs of our duet songs using models. But, I have reservations on these music videos. They have been done for mere entertainment. However, the essence of the music of Shyam-Shcfali is not reflected in these videos'she adds.
Shefali thinks regional folk songs arc very popular. As shesays. Tn the era of globalisation, my songs are still in demand in music circles. Expatriates from Chittagong invite me for live concerts in different pans of the world They say that although they arc happy to listen to music from a different culture, they are hungry for music rendered by
mefromourhonieland.
'My songs represent history, tradition and culture of the people of Chittagong region. Say for example, my popular piece O Shama RengumeNaJaio represents those days when a good number of people of Chittagong went to Yangon for their bread and butter. My other popular songs like Ore Shampan Owala, Jodi Shundar Ekkhan Mukh and others also move the audience. One of my popular songs, Malka BanurDeshe Re, has become a pan of the marriage rituals of the rural culture, 'she adds.
Commenting on the interest of the younger generation in regional folk music, Shefali says,' The new generation is not interested in such folk music. I think, this genre may be on its way out, as no suitable predecessors have been created. 1
think the government should take steps to keep the folk music tradition alive.'
A memory that remains firmly imbedded is of her stage performance at Royal Albert Hall in London. As she says, T will never forget the day when the audience of that world famous hall enthusiastically responded to my performance.
T am thankful to God that I have had the opportunity to participate in some historic moments of the country. For one, I was one of the singers of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. Moreover, I also performed during the inauguration ceremony of the television center at Rampura. I also sang during the inauguration of the television center in Chittagong,' sheadded.
A popular singer of Bangladesh Television and Radio, Shefali has received many awards for her glorious music career. Shefali says, T have got awards from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 2003, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002 for music from Bangla Academy, Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendrer Shabda ShalnikAward in 1990 and others. Moreover, In 199B, Bangla Academy has published a collection of 396 regional songs sungbymc.'
Shefali Ghosh is the playback singer of many films like Malka Banu, Madhumita, Bashundhara and others. Glamour International, a London based production company has released two of her albums in UK. Moreover, Messrs. Mllfa Limited had released her LP in 1978 in UK. More than 60 albums of her regional songs are available in the country.