Kalika prasad biography of alberta
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The initiative focused on compiling and ethnographically documenting distinctive folk songs from workers in plantations, mines, and factories, capturing their artistic, social, and historical dimensions through audio recordings and an anthology for archival purposes.[10][11]Bhattacharya's studies in Comparative Literature at Jadavpur profoundly shaped his analytical approach to folk music, enabling him to integrate literary theory and cross-cultural perspectives into his examination of how industrial contexts transformed traditional oral expressions.
Kalika was fully devoted to exploring and supporting the diverse cultural and folk music in the nook and corner of the country.
He started the Sahaj Parav-an yearly festival held to appreciate unheard rural music. The occasion, celebrated as ‘Loko Songhoti Divas,’ highlighted the artist’s invaluable contributions to folk music and culture, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.
Organized by the Cachar District Administration and the Regional Office of Information and Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, the event took place at the Barak Valley Regional Office of Information and Public Relations.
Akhtar Hossain, Divisional Officer of the Soil Conservation Department, served as the chief guest and spoke highly of Bhattacharya’s deep-rooted love for folk traditions, which he worked tirelessly to popularize both nationally and internationally.
In the year 1999, the India Foundation for the Arts provided him with funds to support his research of Industrial Folk Music. The same year, Kalika also founded a folk music ensemble-Dohar. Kalika had an inclination to music since his childhood. The band frequently appeared on Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, where Bhattacharya mentored emerging folk artists, demonstrating techniques for maintaining rhythmic integrity in modern settings.[1] Over the years, their stage presence evolved to prioritize unadorned folk delivery, employing traditional instruments such as the dotara, sarinda, and dhol to create immersive experiences that honored source communities without dilution.[1] Bhattacharya's final concert occurred at the Baguihati Krishi Mela, a fitting venue for celebrating agrarian-themed folk repertoires amid a large audience.[1]
Film and media contributions
Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya extended his folk music expertise into Bengali cinema through playback singing, infusing traditional Baul and Lalon Fakir-inspired compositions into mainstream soundtracks.This blend of academic rigor and practical research highlighted the theoretical underpinnings of folk forms, such as their relevance to broader socio-economic narratives, bridging his scholarly interests with his musical endeavors.[4]
Musical career
Founding and role in Dohar
In 1999, Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya co-founded the folk music ensemble Dohar in Kolkata alongside collaborators including Rajeev Das, with the explicit aim of reviving and preserving the folk music traditions of Northern and Eastern Bengal.[12][1] The initiative emerged from Bhattacharya's deep-rooted passion for regional folk forms, such as Baul, Bhawaiya, Jhumur, and Sylheti songs, which he sought to bring to contemporary audiences amid the dominance of urbanized Bengali music scenes.[1][13]As Dohar's creative director and lead vocalist—affectionately known as "Kalika Da"—Bhattacharya provided visionary leadership, guiding the band's composition style to emphasize authentic folk revival while innovatively blending traditional rural elements with subtle urban influences.[12][1] This approach involved curating repertoires drawn directly from oral traditions and rural performers, using instruments like the dotara, sarinda, and dhamsa to maintain cultural fidelity in live presentations.[1] His direction ensured that Dohar's early performances highlighted the unadulterated essence of these genres, fostering a platform for lesser-known folk artists from Bengal and the Northeast.[12][13]Bhattacharya's stewardship elevated Dohar's profile, culminating in the group's empanelment by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 2012 as a West Bengal folk music ensemble.[14] This recognition positioned Dohar to represent India's diverse folk heritage internationally, aligning with Bhattacharya's commitment to global dissemination of regional traditions through structured performances.[14][1]Albums and performances
Under Bhattacharya's direction, the band Dohar released nine albums of folk songs through prominent labels such as Concord Records, Sony Music India, and Saregama, showcasing a diverse array of Bengali rural traditions including Baul, Bhawaiya, and Jhumur genres.[1] The debut album, Bandhu Deshe (2001), featured nine Baul compositions by artists like Hason Raja, Shah Abdul Karim, and Sheetalang Shah, with Bhattacharya as the lead vocalist emphasizing authentic renditions.[1] Subsequent releases built on this foundation, including Banglar Gaan Shikorer Taar (2002), Rupsagare (2004), and Bangla (2005), each highlighting regional folk narratives and instrumental arrangements that preserved cultural essence while reaching wider audiences.[1] These albums collectively revitalized interest in Bengal's oral musical heritage, blending research-driven selections with accessible production.[15]Key tracks from Dohar's discography exemplify Bhattacharya's interpretive depth and dedication to folk purity.Since he grew up in the state of Assam, he was very attached and connected to its music. The Assam government’s annual celebration of ‘Loko Songhoti Divas’ ensures that his contributions to folk music are cherished forever.
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Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya
Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya was an Indian writer, composer, singer, and literature analyst.
He began taking interest in the regional music of Assam and West Bengal. He also produced music for theatre ensembles including Kalyani Natya Charcha, Tritiyo Sutro, and Nandikar. Kalika belonged to the city of Silchar. His notable contribution came in the 2010 film Moner Manush, directed by Goutam Ghose, where he provided vocals for songs that blended folk authenticity with cinematic narrative, earning the film a Golden Peacock Award at the International Film Festival of India.[17] In 2014, he sang for Jaatishwar, directed by Srijit Mukherji, a National Film Award-winning film that highlighted his ability to adapt folk rhythms to contemporary storytelling, further bridging rural musical traditions with urban audiences.[17] His final playback work appeared in Bhuban Majhi (2017), where his soulful renditions underscored the film's exploration of riverine folk culture.[17]Beyond singing, Bhattacharya took on multifaceted roles as composer and actor in select projects.
Renowned tabla player Bhaskar Das added rhythmic excellence, enhancing the evening’s musical ambience.
The program began with a warm welcome by Soumen Pal Chowdhury, Manager-cum-Producer of the Information and Public Relations Department, while Biplab Biswas anchored the event.
In keeping with tradition, Kalika Prasad’s songs were broadcast throughout the city via a fixed public address system, ensuring his timeless artistry resonated with the public.
Kalika Prasad’s remarkable journey, tragically cut short by a road accident, continues to inspire through his pioneering work as a singer, composer, and researcher.
His work emphasized the ethnographical study and compilation of these oral traditions, highlighting their role as expressions of marginalized communities, including tribes such as Rabha, Oraon, Bhil, Santhal, and Munda. He gave his voice to several Hindi and Bengali songs. He has been felicitated with the Sangeet Samman award in 2013 by the state government of West Bengal.
He frequently performed on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the popular Bengali music reality show on Zee Bangla, where his renditions of traditional songs educated viewers on folk heritage and inspired young artists to explore regional genres.[12] His soundtrack contributions, particularly in award-winning films like Moner Manush and Jaatishwar, played a pivotal role in popularizing folk motifs in mainstream cinema, fostering greater appreciation for Bengal's intangible cultural assets among diverse audiences.[1]
Research and advocacy
Folk music research
Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya's folk music research centered on the songs of industrial workers in eastern India, encompassing tea plantations in Assam and Bengal, collieries in Raniganj (West Bengal), and factories in Jamshedpur.Prominent artist Saumitra Shankar Choudhury also paid tribute, expressing gratitude to both former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and current Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for annually honouring Kalika Prasad’s work since 2017 through ‘Folk Solidarity Day.’
The event featured musical tributes by folk artists Mangala Nath and Monomita Goswami, as well as mesmerizing dance performances by Rituparna Nath and Ritika Debnath.
His influence bridged the cultural gap between Assam and Bengal, and his legacy transcends generations. He was the playback singer for the Bollywood movie Gumshuda in 2010 and the Bengali films Chaturanga and Moner Manush. These efforts culminated in plans for an anthology that would analyze the songs not only as musical artifacts but also as narratives of labor, identity, and defiance among eastern India's working classes; however, the anthology was not published.
He gave music to and also acted in the Bengali movie Jaatishwar which won a National Award.