Arnob and friends at Peter Norton Symphony Space, New York

October 25. 2008

By Asheka Troberg

Clouds heaped upon clouds and it darkened the entire morning. I should have been at home having a hot cup of tea, re-reading Gitanjali. The New York sky seeped out icy droplets of rain all through out the day. But there was no grace in this rain really. A poet can’t write a happy poem in such an ominous autumn day. It of course would end up in despair. Normally rain means temperature rise but tell that to today! I parked in the Mobile gas station and went in to the store for a cup of coffee.

Arnob & Friends

 

 

Arnob and friends

Arnob

I am still waking up from the serenading effect of Saturday evening Arnob and Friends’ show at the Peter Norton Symphony Space at Manhattan. It was raining that day too.
There are about 5/6 people standing at the bus stop waiting for their ride to work or some other unknown destination that I would never know. My finger tips are freezing as I pump gas into my car. I am contemplating an English translation of the folk song that Arnob had sang at the show, “Amaar har Kala, Korla re, O amar Daho kalar laiga re”. The Bengali words are well chosen, often playfully metaphoric compelling me to re-consider the appropriate choice of word. This is what I finally came up with:

I have charred my bones until black (burnt to purity)
For my body pledges abysmal dark (desire)
O! I dimmed my soul in murky, in the far-off exiled land.

O inner I!
The plough is hunched that ridges the riverine earth
Forever skewed is the crescent,
Yet more skewed (puzzling) is the meander of her heart
To whom I have bestowed myself .

O inner I!
The river-bank is spiral, the river is forever coiled.
Stream of the river off-shoots entwined.
I have sailed my dinghy through all perverse stream;
Yet nameless (unknown) remains all ensnare to me, in this exiled far-off land

I have charred my bones until black (burnt to purity)
For my body pledges abysmal dark (desire)
O! I dimmed my soul in murky, in the exiled far off land
O inner I
Yet darker is the meander of her mind
To whom I have bestowed my life.

O My bones are flimsy as my soul is blistered in grim
Once shattered devotion is never to be mend, O! this far-off exiled land.

 

Origin: written in Bengali by folk Poet Jashim Uddin
Translation: Asheka Troberg.

What a passionate song , written in simple but heart rendering words of a fisherman/sailor. The words are poetic and some times used in metaphor. The words “Kala” and “Banka” have been used several times, each time with a different meaning. The symphony hall had the acoustics to create the effect of an endless river in the midst of where a lonely fisher man sings out his heart. Breathless, his words are not ready to end until it reaches the other end of the river. The whole river is mystified in his music. Tagorian shoulder reaching black hair, some what jaded yet insightful eyes, prayer beads wrapped around his wrist ; in black Kurta, jeans and a pair of converse, Arnob reacreated the music of the river men of rural Bengle right here in this urban village of Manhattan. Andrew added yet another new sound to this music with his awesome saxophone. Arnob and Andrew the avant-garde duo had taken folk music to another level. By the end they had already conquered the night and the hearts of all present at the symphony space.

I had chanced upon a promotional poster of Arnob and friends’ world tour organized by Drishtipat, about two months ago. There were obvious reasons why I wanted to go to this concert. I have expressed my eagerness for experiencing this event. So Stefan was also excited. He kept on reminding me of “Arnold and friends’ concert”. I soon deciphered the mystery and cleared the confusion between Arnob and Arnold. So when I eventually heard from the NY chapter organizer Faika Farzana regarding the press conference I was truly looking forward to it.

Who is this hipster everyone was talking about? We finally met Arnob for the first time on Friday (evening before the concert) at their press conference. A rather skinny fellow Arnob! He turned out to be a poised and humble person. We had a short conversation with Arnob and Andrew that evening. Brooklyn voice Dhaka writers had already covered few of Andrew’s shows at Dhaka. So it was nice to meet Andrew the Welsh musician ; “The Piper of Dhaka”. Till today no one has called Andrew by that name. Brooklynvoice declares him “The Pide piper of Dhaka”.

Nazia’s performance was incredible too. Her rendition of both folk songs and classical songs enthralled the audience. Nazrul the long hair Dhol (rural drum) player displayed his expertise in playing the instrument while buoyantly swaying his folk styled hair, and skillfully transporting the dhol over and across his shoulder. The entire team is a congregation of extremely talented musicians. The musicians also showed a keen interest in answering each other through their respective instruments. Another band (Band name: osthayi, band members: Fariyah and Rupom, Upol, Nayeem, Richard and Emon) performed in the first part of the show. Unfortunately Stefan and I missed that one. While leaving the place we met my old high school class mate Asif. It was a pleasant surprise and we ended up at the after party with him.

The show was organized by a Dhaka based charity organization, “Drishtipat” which helps under-privileged people. I briefly met the nucleus of this organization Asif Saleh. What made me surprised was the level of professionalism Drishtipat had displayed. From the very beginning to the end, the show progressed with total success. Arnob and freinds together with many volunteers of Drishtipat pledged their time for a greater cause. Hats off to Asif Saleh for his noble initiative.

Andrew

Andrew

 

arnob and friends band

 

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