After Nazrul’s family, Indian artistes demand removal of Nazrul song from ‘Pippa’
Karor Oi Luho Kopat
The ongoing controversy over AR Rahman's rendition of Nazrul Sangeet "Karor Oi Luho Kopat" has reached another height. Ever since the release of the song, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has faced backlash not only from social media users but also from his colleagues.
Yesterday, Nazrul's family held a press conference in Dhaka and expressed their opinion about not liking the song and demanded that it be removed from the film.
Based on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Raja Menon-directed film Pippa released on OTT platforms on November 10. The film contains the song "Karor Oi Luho Kopat", which has been re-tuned by Rahman in a romantic tune, which has angered and disappointed Nazrul Sangeet fans.
Kazi Anirban, the granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam and the elder son of his son Kazi Anirudh, expressed anger over the alleged distorted tunes in the songs used in the movie. He demanded immediate removal of the song.
The credit line of the song includes a tribute to Kazi Anirban and his mother Kazi Kalyani. In 2021, a written agreement was signed with Kazi Kalyani for the use of this song in the film by film production company Roy Kapur Films.
Kazi Anirban, a witness to that agreement, also said, "My mother Kalyani Kazi's name or my name should not be used in the film. The song should be removed immediately." He further asserted that 2036 will be the 60th anniversary of the death of Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and till then the ownership of this song will remain with the heirs of the poet's family.
Demands for the removal of the song and condemnation of the incident came not only from the general public in Churulia, West Bengal, where the poet was born, but also from students and teachers of Churulia Nazrul Academy of Nazrul University, Asansol.
Noted Indian poet Jai Goswami shared, "Mutilation of Kazi Nazrul Islam's song like this is a misrepresentation and should not be accepted. I agree with your protest against such actions."
Theater personality Vivas Chakraborty has also protested this.
Protesters put up posters in front of the Hooghly District Correctional Facility in a show of solidarity. Kazi Nazrul Islam spent a significant period of his life at this place. Sonali Kazi, Kabir's granddaughter, has also sent a protest call to Asansol in West Bengal.
Moreover, various Indian democratic organizations and the West Bengal Democratic Writers and Artists Association, driven by the spirit of Nazrul Sangeet, expressed their concern and demanded the immediate removal of the modified version of Nazrul's song.
On the other hand, Kazi Rezaul Karim, one of the founders and eminent personality of Kazi Nazrul Academy, said, "AR Rahman is a renowned, Oscar-winning musician of our country, how can he change the original tone of Nazrul's creation? It is unacceptable." He also demanded that the song be removed from the movie immediately.
Nazrul's family members said in a conference held at the Kolkata Press Club on Thursday that legal action is being taken against the film's producer Roy Kapur Films. Artists from Bangladesh and West Bengal also protested against the song.
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At the press conference, Khilkhil Kazi said, "AR Rahman should apologize for how the timeless song of Kazi Nazrul Islam has been distorted. The song that fueled our collective spirit in the freedom struggle, a source of inspiration during Bangladesh's historic liberation war, resonates even today. The song must be the same." should be excluded from the film."
Kazi Arindam said, "It's not just a song, it's a movement of history. It has history of many freedom fighters. The makers of 'Pippa' should have studied the history of the song. We demand. Remove the song from the movie and restore the original tune. I will formally convey this issue to the West Bengal state government in writing and we will take further action through lawyers."
Prominent persons in the cultural arena of Bangladesh held a human chain and press conference yesterday raising the same demand. Dr. Khalekuzzaman, president of Nazrul Center in Basori, said at the conference, "It is sheer courage for anyone to change the tone or tune of a poet's song. It is a tradition. We condemn the distorted rendition of this song."
Nazrul song artist Fatema Tuz Zohra said, "We should all raise our voice against this perversion of music. AR Rahman should have known its significance. Did he make a big mistake or intentionally? The matter needs to be looked into better."
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On the other hand, West Bengal's prominent lyricist, composer and singer Kabir Suman talked about it on Facebook Live for about one and a half hours yesterday. He said, "Imagine if Kazi Nazrul Islam had not written it. Still, the lyrics should have been deeply understood. The lyrics have been composed with careful consideration. Few songs in today's music landscape seem like fusion. Cement and stone, all together." Rolling in the mixer. This also applies to the remake of 'Karor Oi Luho Kopat'. How can AR Rahman, who composed songs like 'Dil Hai Chhota Sa', give such a tune to the remake? It's really hard to believe."
Addressing the Bangladeshi audience, Kabir Suman said, "The country that gave Nazrul the status of National Poet, please hold a press conference. Meet Rahman. Tell him the history of 'Karar oi Luho Kapat'. Tell him not to apologies." Just to learn history."
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After Nazrul’s family, Indian artistes demand removal of Nazrul song from ‘Pippa’
The ongoing controversy with A R Rahman's rendition of Nazrul sangeet "Karar Oi Louho Kopat" has reached another height. Ever since the song has been released, the Oscar winning composer A R Rahman has been facing backlash not just from social media users, but from his colleagues as well.
Yesterday, family of Nazrul held a press conference in Dhaka, where they stated their opinion of not liking the song, and demanded to remove it from the film.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Based on Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, Raja Menon directorial film 'Pippa' was released on November 10 in OTT platforms. This film contains the song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat", which has been re-composed by Rahman in a romantic melody, making Nazrul sangeet fans angry and disappointed.
Kazi Nazrul Islam's granddaughter and his son Kazi Aniruddha's elder son, Kazi Anirban, has expressed his displeasure due to the alleged distorted melody in the song used in the movie. He has demanded the immediate removal of the song.
The song's credit line contains gratitude towards Kazi Anirban and his mother, Kazi Kalyani. In 2021, a written agreement was made with Kazi Kalyani for the use of this song in the movie by the film production company Roy Kapur Films.
Kazi Anirban, who was a witness to that agreement, also stated, "In the movie, neither my mother Kalyani Kazi's name nor my name should be used. The song should be removed immediately." He further emphasised that in the year 2036, it will be 60 years of the demise of the National Poet of Bangladesh, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and until then, the ownership of this song will remain with the poet's family's heirs.
The demand to remove the song and the condemnation of this incident have been expressed by not only common people of Charuli, West Bengal, where the poet was born, but protests came from the students and teachers of Charuli Nazrul Academy, Asansol's Nazrul University.
Eminent Indian poet Joy Goswami, shared, "Distorting songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam in this manner is a form of misrepresentation and should not be acceptable. I express my agreement with your protest against such actions."
Theatre personality Bibhas Chakraborty also protested regarding this issue.
Protesters have placed posters in front of Hooghly District Correctional Home, in a show of solidarity. Kazi Nazrul Islam spent a significant part of his life in this place. Sonali Kazi, the grandniece of the poet also sent a call for protest regarding this matter to Asansol, West Bengal.
Furthermore, various Indian democratic organizations and the West Bengal Democratic Writers and Artistes Association, driven by the spirit of Nazrul's music, have expressed their concerns and demanded the immediate removal of the altered version of Nazrul's song.
On the other hand, Kazi Rezaul Karim, one of the key founders of Kazi Nazrul Academy and a prominent figure stated, "A R Rahman is a renowned, Oscar-winning musician of our country. How can he alter the original tune of Nazrul's creation? It is unacceptable." He also demands the immediate removal of the song from the movie.
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