Folk songs with modern touch
Melodious evening
Even Indian state has its fair share of melodious folk songs. These songs were brought to the fore in an interesting event titled ‘Folk It India’ recently. Held at the Alliance Francaise recently, this was one show that all music-lovers would have surely loved. After all, it provided an essence of India with a modern twist. 
‘Folk It India’ featured accomplished singers — Sangeetha Srikishen, Seema Raikar and Supratik Ghosh. The special attraction of the evening was Gopi, a percussionist, who added a fantastic touch to the folk songs with his brilliant drumming. Shaktidhar Iyer, Kumar and David were the other instrumentalists on flute, rhythm pad and saxophone respectively.
The concert was presented by ‘Rhythm & Raaga’, a band that performs concept-based concerts.
The evening began with the popular Kannada folk song Munjaneddu Kumbaranna, rendered effortlessly by Sangeetha Srikishen, the founder of World Music Center.
This was followed by the catchy Marathi song Reshamachya Reghani by Seema Raikar.
This popular lavani was met with whistles by the audience. A salute to River Ganges followed as Supratik Ghosh, the leader singer of popular band Aurko, rendered Ganga Behti Ho Kyon, a song immortalised by the late Bhupen Hazarika. Dedicating this song to Bhupen, Supratik said, “The song is not just about nature’s fury. But also about the unrest and violence happening in our country. Should we not do something about it?”
Presenting the beautiful Kesariya Balam, Seema took everyone to the deserts of Rajasthan. The popular Sufi song of the Sindh region, O Lal Meri... Damadam Mast Kalandar, was sung by Sangeetha and passed on the message for the Hindus and Muslims of the Sindh region to live in unity. When David played the saxophone in the middle of these songs for a while, one couldn’t believe that these rustic songs could have a Western touch.
Dola Ae Dola, a Bengali song on the palanquin, was sung beautifully by Supratik. Maestro Ilayaraja’s Telugu composition Laali Laali, a lullaby in Telugu from the movie Swathi Muthyam followed. This was again rendered by Sangeetha post which, Seema took the stage and sang the slow Punjabi melody Beshak Jana. The colours of spring were brought forth by Supratik as he sang Pahuya, a Bihu dance song from Assam.
Following this, it was time for the folk songs of Goa. Everyone smiled along as Supratik sang happy Goan folk songs like Galyan Sankli Sonyachi and Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost. “I think the show was fantastic. If there were shows like this more
often, everyone would be a fan of folk music. I have become a fan of folk music now,” said Sandeep, a member of the audience.
Post a few more songs and a grand finale, the audience was all happy with the brilliant show and went home humming folks tunes.
