AR Rahman’s Musical Makeover Sparks Outrage: Did He Ruin a Bengali Anthem?
In the recent war film Pippa, renowned Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman stirred up a storm with his rendition of the iconic song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat.’ Penned by the legendary Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the song has long been hailed as a protest anthem, embodying the spirit of rebellion against oppression. Rahman’s version, however, has left many in India and Bangladesh frowning.
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A Departure from Tradition
While the lyrics of the original song remain intact, Rahman’s reimagination takes a radical departure from the traditional tune. Critics argue that the essence of the original masterpiece is lost in the new rendition.
“A powerful song based on strong revolutionary messages to the younger generations got randomly transformed into a light-hearted romantic type melody. The lyrics seemed to be haphazardly scattered into some random pop chord progression. There is not even a central structure of the melody. Why AR Rahman? Why butcher such a wonderful phenomenal song?” lamented a YouTube user.
Outcry from Fans
The backlash on Rahman’s YouTube channel is palpable. Commenters express disappointment, with one user accusing Rahman of playing with emotions and disrespecting the immortal creation of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
“Mr. Rahman, this song has a different place in every Bengali’s heart. It is very disturbing to listen to my favourite musician destroying Kazi Nazrul’s song which till date gives goosebumps to every Bengali youth. Probably you have not listened to the original song,” commented another user.
Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Kin Express Discontent
In a conversation with Time Of India, Anirban Kazi, a member of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s family, expressed deep disappointment, describing Rahman’s treatment of the song as insensitive.
“We could not fathom that an artist like Rahman could be so insensitive and murder the song like this. As a protest, I don’t want our family’s name in ‘special thanks’ in the film’s credit line. That was one of the clauses in our agreement with the production house. I have shared my reservations with the production house,” Anirban Kazi stated.
The Origins of ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’
Kazi Nazrul Islam penned ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’ in June 1922. According to Anirban Kazi, the song was a response to a request from freedom fighter Chittaranjan Das’s wife during Das’s imprisonment in 1922. Originally recorded in June 1949 and sung by Girin Chakraborty, the song’s historical significance is undeniable.
Here’s the reimagined version composed by Rahman.
Here’s the original version of the song
The original tune is more of a marching song while Rahman’s version opts for softer, mellow tunes.
Pippa: A Cinematic Glimpse into History
Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Pippa revolves around the Battle of Garibpur fought between India and Pakistan in November 1971, leading to the formation of Bangladesh. The film features a stellar cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Priyanshu Painyuli, Soni Razdan, Mrunal Thakur, and Inaamulhaq.
Read Now: Pippa (2023) Review : Tank Battles, Family Feuds, and the Hidden Depths of War!
