Kabir Suman

Kabir Suman কবীর সুমন
Birth name	Suman Chattopadhyay
Born	(1950-03-16) 16 March 1950 [1] Cuttack, Odisha, India
Origin	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Genres	Bengali Modern, Rabindra Sangeet
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter, journalist, writer, actor, politician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, synthesizer, piano
Years active	1992–present
Labels	HMV
Associated acts	Anjan Dutt, Nachiketa Chakraborty
Website	Official Website Kabir Suman's channel on YouTube

Kabir Suman
Member of Parliament
In office May 2009– May 2014
Preceded by	Sujan Chakraborty
Succeeded by	Sugata Bose
Constituency	Jadavpur
Personal details
Political party	AITC
Spouse(s)	Sabina Yasmin
Alma mater	Jadavpur University
Profession	Musician, journalist, writer
Religion	Islam

Kabir Suman (born Suman Chattopadhyay; 16 March 1950) is an Indian singer, songwriter, musician, music director, poet, journalist, political activist, TV presenter, and occasional actor.^[2][3] From May 2009 to 2014, he was a member of parliament of India in the 15th Lok Sabha, having been elected from the Jadavpur constituency in Kolkata from All India Trinamool Congress.^[1]

He changed his name from Suman Chattopadhay to Kabir Suman (Bangla: কবীর সুমন) when he became a Muslim and married the noted Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yasmin. He shot to fame in the 1990s with albums such as Tomake Chai (I Want You) and Boshe Anko (Sit-and-Draw).^[4]

Early life

Suman was born in a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family on 16 March 1949 to Sudhindranath and Uma Chattopadhyay at Cuttack, Odisha. He later converted to Islam.^[1] He was trained in classical music in his childhood, under the tutelage of his father. He graduated with an honours in English Literature from Jadavpur University^[1] and did a diploma in French language and German language.^[5] He then worked briefly in All India Radio and the United Bank of India. He left for Guatemala and worked there in radio latter for Europe in the mid seventies, and worked as a radio journalist in the Voice of Germany (Bengali Department) during 1975 to 1979.^[6][7] It is during this period that he heard the music of Bob Dylan in France, which became one of his most defining musical experiences.

Suman then went on to stay at the United States during 1980-86, working for the Bengali language Department of Voice of America in Washington D.C. He came into contact with a number of musical and literary personalities including Pete Seeger and Maya Angelou. Suman also became highly interested in the Sandinista revolution at Nicaragua during the mid eighties. Pete Seeger introduced him to Ernesto Cardenal, the priest, poet, freedom fighter and Nicaragua's Minister of Culture. At Cardenal's invitation, Suman visited Nicaragua in 1985. He writes that he was largely impressed by what he saw in Nicaragua. It is here, that he also came into contact with the New Song Movement in Latin America. After much deliberation, Suman zeroed in on the name, Kabir Suman. According to him, "I wanted to keep the name my parents gave me, so I kept Suman. I took the name Kabir after Sheikh Kabir, a Bengali Muslim poet who wrote Baishnab Padabali."^[8]

Political activities

Suman was a journalist in Nicaragua during the Sandinista revolution and wrote Mukto Nicaragua (Liberated Nicaragua) on his experiences. During the 2002 Gujarat riots, he composed songs in protest against fundamentalism. He is also noted for his strong declamations against political opponents in public. Since 2006, when Suman was involved in the land struggle in Nandigram, he started aligning himself to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee. His songs on the Nandigram land issues have been released on two albums, Nandigram and Pratirodh. Suman participated in the Singur agitation & other TMC party programmes on a regular basis.^[9][10]

The Trinamoool Congress nominated him for the 2009 general election from Jadavpur constituency in Kolkata, West Bengal, and won the election, defeating his nearest rival, Sujan Chakraborty of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) by 54,000 votes (by a 10% margin).^[11]

In November 2009, Suman had a dispute with the Trinamool Congress. He complained that the local leaders of the party were not allowing him to work, and his views were not taken seriously in the party.^[12] However, the issue was resolved amicably in a series of closed door meetings.^[13]

Suman has also been vocal in his support for the movement of tribals in Lalgarh, and has composed an album called Chatradharer Gaan in support of the mass movement, going against the wishes of the party.^[14] Going against the party position, he has also expressed his protests against "Operation Green Hunt", the Indian Government's military operation where the Naxalites have some influence.^[15]

Suman, at the end of March 2010, claimed that he is going to leave Trinamool Congress and also his membership of the Parliament. On the request of Mahasweta Devi he postponed his resignation for seven days. Within a few days, however, he made a u-turn and declared on 7 April that he does not want to resign^[16] by further embarrassing the party.^[17] Currently he conveys his political opinions through his own website.

Personal life

As of 2016 Suman has been married five times.^[18] He is married to Sabina Yasmin, a Bangladeshi singer.^[1][19]

Musical life

His contemporary urban, socially conscious songs draw upon both Bengali adhunik (modern) and Western folk and protest music. His work has been a major influence in the development of the Bengali songs, which has influenced bands like Chandrabindoo, and has grown to become a major movement in contemporary Bengali music. Most of his songs are played solo with just a Piano,synthesiser or a guitar. Like many other Bengali singers, Suman recorded albums of Rabindra Sangeet (Songs of Rabindranath Tagore), starting in the late-1990s.

Suman's primary training was in Indian classical music and Rabindra Sangeet, and he picked up Western folk forms while living abroad in Germany and the United States. He finished his second contract with German International Radio in 1989, and returned to Kolkata.

In Kolkata,he was first associated with a band called Nagorik, and released two albums Onyo kotha onyo gaan 1 and Onyo kotha onyo gaan 2. He released his first solo album, Tomake Chai, on 23 April 1992, which was immensely successful as it redefined Bengali songs. "Tomake Chai" presumably indicates love for Bengali language. More properly it is the intrinsic love of a person for his mother-tongue. Since then he has released over twenties albums, his most recent one being Lalmohaner Laash in 2010. Later Suman stopped making songs for general audience and focused on more political issues.^[20]

Discography

Solo albums with track lists:

Tomake Chai (1992) – HMV

Boshe Aanko (1993) – HMV

Ichchhe Holo (1993) – HMV

Gaanola / Suman the One Man Band (1994) – HMV / EMI

Ghumou Baundule (1995) – HMV

Chaichhi Tomar Bondhuta (1996) – HMV

Jatishwar (1997) – HMV

Nishiddho Istehar (1998) – HMV

Pagla Shanai (1999) – HMV

Jabo Ochenaye (2001) – HMV

Aadab (2002) – HMV

Reaching Out (2003) – Kosmic Music

Dekhchhi Toke (2004) – Cozmik Harmony

Nandigram (2007) – Cozmik Harmony

Rizwanur Brityo (2008) – Artist himself

Protirodh (2008) – Cozmik Harmony

Chhotrodhorer Gaan (2010) – Artist himself and later by Bijalpa Music

Lalmohoner Lash (2010) – Questz World / Saptarshi Prakashan

63 te (2012)

Since 2011, many old and new songs are publishing in his website and Facebook

Compilations and live recordings

Collaborative albums

• Onyo Katha Onyo Gaan Volumes I & II (1986) – Sing To Live [with Nagorik]
• Nicaraguar Jonyo (1986) – Sing To Live [with Nagorik]
• E Desh Tomaar Aamar (1991) – SFI / HMV
• Konthe Nilaam Notun Gaan (1994) – Concord Records (two songs sung by Concord Trio)
• Shobujer Protishodh (1995) – HMV (Haimanti Sukla)
• Choto Boro Mile (1996) – HMV [with Nachiketa Chakravarty, Anjan Dutt, Indrani Sen, Lopamudra Mitra, Payel Kar, Shalini Chatterjee, Sreetoma Ghosh, Shayari Das, Tanushree Haldar, Paromita Chatterjee, Reema Roy, Shubhanwita Guha and Reetomaa Gupto]
• Notun Gaaner Nouka Bawa (1997) – Bhetorghore Brishti (1998) – HMV [two songs sung by Lopamudra Mitra on each album]
• Dhanya Hok (1998) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Shesh Dorjata Perole (1998) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Tomaye Khnujechi (1999) – Soundtech Sabina Yasmin
• Ochena Chuti / Gaane Gaane Duti Mon (1999) – Raagaa/Soundtech [with Sabina Yasmin]
• Aashche Shotabdite (1999) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Ekshaathe Bnachboi (1999) – HMV [with Sohini, Shinjini, Debdutta, Shidhdhaartho, Anirban, Oindrila, Shreya, Shilpi, Arindam, Chiranjeeb, Rajshekhar, Shongeeta, Gaargi, Arundhati, Indrani, Shoilangi, Gargi, Aakaash and Payel]
• Rongdhonu Taanaa Shetu (2000) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Shada Paayra Giyeche Ure (2001) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Tumi Gaan Gaile (2002) – Prime Music (Indranil Sen)
• Awshshomedher Ghora Chhutchche (2003) – HMV [two songs sung by Sandhya Mukherjee]
• Protichhobi (2004) – No Audio Release [with Sabina Yasmin and Bnaadhon]
• Onekdin Por (2004) – Cozmic Harmony [with Anjan Dutt]
• Tero (2006) – Cozmic Harmony [with Sabina Yasmin]
• Suprabhat Bishannata (2008) - Cozmic Harmony (Sabina Yasmin)

Live albums and collaborations

• Onurodher Aashor (1994) – T-Series
• Ei Shomoye Ei Dujon- Live at GD Birla Sabhaghar (1997) – HMV (with Nachiketa)
• Tribeni (1997) – HMV [with Nachiketa Chakravarty and Anjan Dutt]
• Notun Shurer Chnoa (1999) – HMV (with Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Lopamudra Mitra, Haimanti Sukla and Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta)
• Praan Khola Gaan (1999) – HMV (with Lopamudra Mitra, Nachiketa Chakraborty and Bhoomi)
• Onyo Hawaye Onyo Gaan (2004) – HMV [with Lopamudra Mitra]
• Pujor Shera Gaan (2004) – HMV [with Sandhya Mukhopadhyay]
• Graphiti (2006) – HMV [with Nachiketa Chakravarty, Anjan Dutt, Lopamudra Mitra, Protul Mukherjee and Moushumi Bhowmick]
• Onno gaaner bhorey (2009) – HMV (with Nachiketa)

Film albums

• Obhimaane Onuraage (1992) [Unreleased] – [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman]
• Attojaa (1993) – [No Audio Release][Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Haimanti Sukla]
• Mahasangram (1994) – HMV [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Indrani Sen]
• Bhoy (1996) – Beethoven Records [Playback Singer: Kabir Suman in two songs]
• Krishnachura [Bilingual in Assamese (released) and Bengali (unreleased)] (1995) – HMV [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Haimanti Sukla]
• Jodhdha (1995) – HMV [Playback Singer: Kabir Suman in one song]
• Shedin Choitromash (1997) – HMV [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Nachiketa Chakravarty, Swagatatalakhi Dasgupta and Lopamudra Mitra]Best song-AMI JE CHILAM BESH...
• Shurjokanya (1998) – HMV [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Sriradha Banerjee, Swagatatalakhi Dasgupta and Srikanto Acharya]
• Katha (2007) [No Audio Release]
• Ranjana Ami Ar Asbo Na (2011)
• Jaatishwar (2014) - T Series [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Rupankar Bagchi & others]
• Shankar Mudi (2016) - R P Tech-vision [Playback Singers: Kabir Suman, Srikanto Acharya, Pratik Chowdhury, Raghab Chatterjee, Bidipta Chakrabarty & others]

Publications

• Suman, Kabir (2012). Discovering the Other America: Radical Voices from the 1980s in conversation with Kabir Suman. Thema. ISBN 978-93-81703-10-6. 

Influences and legacy

Suman has often been credited with creating a new Genre of music in Bengal, which is deceptively simple, with lyrics that reflect common life experiences. He is sometimes referred to as the Nagorik Kobial (urban troubadour).^[19][21] Some people consider his songs Jibonmukhi (songs facing life), though he doesn't like this title and consider his work as simply adhunik bangla gaan (modern Bengali song).^[22]

His music reflects on social mores and is often directly political. Suman draws from a very long and deep tradition of Bengali music, absorbing multiple genres including pop, light classical, film music and folk. His influences traverses a literal who's who of the Bengali music pantheon. He was also influenced by Western musicians such as Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Paul Simon and John Lennon. He transcribed (with credits) Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" as "Uttoro to Jana" in his album Ichche Holo in 1993 and "Farewell, Angelina" (initially recorded by Joan Baez in 1965) as "Biday Porichita" in his 1997 album Jatiswar.^[23] He transcribed (with credits) Paul Simon's "Sounds of Silence" as "Stobdhothar Gaan".

His early albums were sparsely arranged, using primarily electronic keyboard, guitar and occasional mouth organ, all played by himself on multitrack recordings. The effect on the Bengali audience was not unlike what Bob Dylan produced on American audiences during the Beat Generation. Later albums were more elaborately arranged with full studio orchestra and often classical Hindustani accompaniment. Suman influenced a generation of singer-songwriters in Bengal after 90s, including Nachiketa Chakraborty, Anjan Dutt, Lopamudra Mitra, Srikanto Acharya and bands like Chandrabindoo.

Awards & Honours

• 1997 - BFJA Awards - Best Lyrics for Bhai^[24]
• 2014 - National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film Jaatishwar.
• 2014 - Mirchi Music Awards Bangla for Music Composer of The Year (E Tumi Kemon Tumi - Jaatishwar)^[25]
• 2014 - Mirchi Music Awards Bangla for Lyricist of The Year (Khudar Kasam Jaan - Jaatishwar)
• Honoured with Sangeet Mahasamman by Government of West Bengal in 2015.^[26]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kabir Suman.

• Official Site
• About Kabir Suman's Life, Lyric and Thought
• Short Bio
• Kabir Suman -Profile
• Translations of his songs
• Indian Foundation for Arts page on Suman
• Kabir Suman's channel on YouTube