Purabi Dutta


Purabi Dutta was a Bengali female singer from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. She is considered as one of the greatest exponents and an authentic singer of Nazrul Geeti.

Early years

Purabi Dutta was daughter of Bibhuti Dutta, the famous classical vocal maestro. Her training was initiated at home. In 1946 she was a contestant in All India Music Competition organised by Chetla Murari Smriti Sangeet Sammilini where she won the silver trophy in vocal music.

Career

Purabi Dutta was undoubtedly one of the noted exponents of Nazrulgeeti. In her early days she was associated with various programs of All India Radio, Kolkata. She recorded many songs throughout her music career, mostly the songs composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam, known as NAZRUL SANGEET or NAZRUL GEETI. She selflessly dedicated herself in teaching Nazrul Sangeet for her entire life. For many years Purabi Dutta was attached to "Bani Chakra" of Gariahat. She was also attached to Bengal Music College, where she was a teacher along with Hemanta Mukherjee, Chinmoy Chattopadhyay, Akhilbandhu Ghosh and others. She was very close to Pandit Jnanprakas Ghosh, Biman Mukhopadhyay, Manabendra Mukhpadhyay, Adhir Bagchi and other eminent artists and singers of Bengal.
During 1950s and '60s Purabi Dutta was associated with All India Radio and performed in various programs.
Purabi Dutta's albums in Nazrulgeeti became very popular. Some of the album titles are noted below:
  • 1974 Songs of Kazi Nazrul - SAREGAMA
  • 1975 Songs of Kazi Nazrul - SAREGAMA
  • 1980 Valentine Special - Bengali Romantic Nazrulgeeti
  • 1982 Halud Gandar Phul
  • 2014 Chharo Chharo Anchal
  • 2014 Jhum Jhum Jhumra Nachte
  • 2014 Shiuli Tolay Bhorbela - INRECO
Purabi Dutta appeared for stage performance in the Bangla Sangeet Mela in April, 2004, after keeping herself away for almost one and a half years from the spot light. She sang two songs: মনে পরে আজ সে কোন জনমে, followed by নিরন্ধ্র মেঘে মেঘে অন্ধ গগন. Angshuman Bhowmik observed:

Death

Purabi Dutta died on Sunday, 1 December 2013, in her residence at Sonarpur, far away from the music world she was acquainted with. In the obituary, Kolkata 24X7 news channel published the following:

Memoirs of the Life, Writings, & Correspondence

  • Pandit Jnanprakash Ghosh was involved in All India Radio for a long time, and during his tenure as producer in light music unit he produced very popular programs such as "Sangeetanjali", "Desh Bandana", "Ramya Geeti" and "E Maser Gaan". He himself composed music in the lyrics by many poets, such as Bani Kumar, Nalinikanta Sarkar, Murari Mohan Sen, Dhirendra Narayan Roy, Shyamal Gupta, Gouriprasanna Majumdar, Prasun Mitra etc. In 1965 he composed tune for a song written by Bani Kumar: "ভারত নভের শুভ্র বীণায় কোন অমৃত ডাক দিলো রে". The song was sung by Gouri Mitra, Purabi Dutta, Subash Mitra, Diptiprakas Majumdar and Dhiren Basu. It was aired in the program "Desh Bandana".
  • While releasing her newest album on Nazrulgeeti on 19 September 2013 at Bengal Club, Kolkata, eminent singer Indrani Sen expressed her gratitude towards her gurus Shrimati Purabi Dutta and Shri Biman Mukhopadhay. This was the last known public appearance of Srimati Purabi Dutta.

Selected list of songs

;List of Songs
SongYearAlbum/TypeTune/Music composerLyricsLabel
Adho Rate Jadi Ghum1974Songs of Kazi NazrulKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama
Antare Tumi Achho ChirodinKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Brajo Gopi Khele Hori1974Songs of Kazi NazrulKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama
Chaitali Chandini Rate1966Gems from Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Chander Mato Nirobe1980LoveKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Chharo Chharo Aanchal1980Bengali Romantic NazrulgeetiKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Chhonder Bonya Horini Aronya1974Songs of Kazi NazrulKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama
Elo E Banante Paagal BasantaKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Eso He Sajal Shyam Ghano DeyaDhirendra Nath DasKazi Nazrul Islam
Kemone Kohi Priyo1990Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamInreco
Juin Kunje Mon BhramaraKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Ogo Sundar1980Bengali Romantic NazrulgeetiKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Oi Godhuli Bodhur Sithite Sindur Anka1957AdhunikShyamal GhoshPrabir Majumdar
Palash Manjari Paraye DeKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamInreco
Paradeshi Bondhu Ghum Bhangayiyo1974Songs of Kazi NazrulKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama
Paro Janame Dekha Hobe Priyo1975Songs of Kazi NazrulKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama
Piu Piu Bole Papiya1990Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamInreco
Sedin Chhoilo Ki Godhuli LaganLoveKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Shyam Tumi Jodi Radha1980Bengali Romantic NazrulgeetiKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam
Soi Bhalo Kore Binod Beni1968Sanjher Pakhira Phirilo KulayaKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamSaregama