Suman
Encyclopedia
Kabir Suman is a Kolkata
-based modern Bengal
i singer-songwriter
, musician, poet, journalist, politician, TV presenter, and occasional film actor. Since May 2009, he is a member of parliament
of India
in the 15th Lok Sabha
, having been elected from the Jadavpur
constituency in Kolkata on an All India Trinamool Congress
ticket.
He changed his name from Suman Chattopadhyay to 'Kabir Suman' (Bangla
: কবীর সুমন) when he converted to Islam . He shot to fame in the 1990s with albums such as Tomake Chai (Bangla
: তোমাকে চাই I Want You) and Boshe Anko (Bangla
: বসে আঁকো Sit-and-Draw).
and the United Bank of India
. Suman left for Europe in the mid seventies, and worked as a radio journalist in the Voice of Germany
(Bengali Dept.) from 1975-79. It is during this period that he heard the music of Bob Dylan in France, which became one of his most defining musical experiences.
Suman then went on to stay at the United States from 1980–1986, working for the Bengali language Department of the Voice of America at Washington D.C. Here, Suman came into contact with a number of musical and literary personalities including Pete Seeger
and Maya Angelou
. Suman also became highly interested in the Sandinista revolution at Nicaragua
during the mid eighties. Pete Seeger introduced him to Father Ernesto Cardenal
, the priest, poet, freedom fighter and Nicaragua's Minister of Culture. At Cardenal's invitation, Suman visited Nicaragua in 1985. He writes that he was largely impressed by what he saw in Nicaragua. It is here, that he also came into contact with the New Song Movement in Latin America.
, and has grown to become a major movement in contemporary Bengali music. Most of his songs are played solo with just a synthesiser or a guitar. Like many other Bengali singers, Suman has also recorded albums of Rabindra Sangeet
(Songs of Rabindranath Tagore
), starting in the late-1990s.
Suman's primary training was in Indian classical music and Rabindra Sangeet, and he picked up Western folk forms while living abroad in Germany and the United States. He finished his second contract with German International Radio in 1989, and returned to Kolkata.
In Kolkata,he was first associated with a band called "Nagorik", and released two albums "Onyo kotha onyo gaan 1" and "Onyo kotha onyo gaan 2". He released his first solo album, "Tomake Chai", in 1992, which was immensely successful. Since then he has released over twenties albums, his most recent one being "Lalmohaner Laash" in 2010.
. He also transcrated Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind
" as "Uttoro to Jana" in his album 'Ichche Holo' in 1993 and "Farewell, Angelina" (initially recorded by Joan Baez
in 1965 and recorded by Bob Dylan himself and released in his 1991 compilation album "The Bootleg Series
") as "Biday Porichita" in his 1997 album "Jatiswar". Dylan's influence is also obvious in the musical arrangements of his early albums, often consisting of only guitar and mouth-organ, both of which he played himself. Later on his musical arrangements became more elaborate.
Suman himself influenced a generation of singer-songwriters in Bengal, including Nachiketa Chakraborty and Anjan Dutta
.and others like Lopamudra Mitra
.
during the Sandinista revolution and wrote Mukto Nicaragua (Liberated Nicaragua) on his experiences. During the 2002 Gujarat riots
, he composed songs in protest against fundamentalism. He is also noted for his strong declamations against political opponents in public.
Since 2006, when Suman was involved in the land struggle in Nandigram
, he started aliging himself to All India Trinamool Congress
(TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee
. His songs on the Nandigram land issues have been released on two albums, Nandigram and Pratirodh. Suman also participated in the Singur
agitation & other TMC party programmes on a regular basis.
He was present during the inauguration of TMC's stall in Kolkata Book Fair.2009.
The Trinamoool Congress nominated him for the 2009 general election
from Jadavpur constituency
in Kolkata
, West Bengal, and won the election, defeating his nearest rival, Sujan Chakraborty
of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(CPI(M)) by 54,000 votes (by a 10% margin).
In November 2009, Suman had a spat with the Trinamool Congress. He complained that the local leaders of the party were not allowing him to work, and his views were not taken seriously in the party. However, the issue was resolved amicably in a series of closed door meetings.
Suman has also been vocal in his support for the movement of tribals in Lalgarh, and has composed an album called "Chatradharer Gaan" in support of the movement, going against the wishes of the party. Going against the party position, he has also expressed his protests against "Operation Green Hunt", the Indian Government's military operation in the areas hit by Naxal violence.
Suman,in the end of march 2010,claimed that he is going to leave Trinamool Congress and also his membership of the Parliament. Though on the request of Mahasweta Devi
he postponed his resignation for seven days. Within a few days, however, he makes a u-turn and declares on the 7th of April that he does not want to resign by further embarrassing the party
He is married to Sabina Yasmin
, a popular Bangladeshi singer.
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
-based modern Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
i singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, musician, poet, journalist, politician, TV presenter, and occasional film actor. Since May 2009, he is a member of parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in the 15th Lok Sabha
15th Lok Sabha
Members of the 15th Lok Sabha were elected in 2009 during the General Elections in India.- Important members :* Speaker: Meira Kumar, Indian National Congress, Sasaram, Bihar...
, having been elected from the Jadavpur
Jadavpur
Jadavpur is a southern neighbourhood of Kolkata, India. It is bounded by Dhakuria to the north, Tollygunge to the west, Santoshpur to the east and Garia to the south...
constituency in Kolkata on an All India Trinamool Congress
All India Trinamool Congress
The All India Trinamool Congress is a state political party in West Bengal. Founded in 1 January 1998, the party is led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress is currently the second largest member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition...
ticket.
He changed his name from Suman Chattopadhyay to 'Kabir Suman' (Bangla
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
: কবীর সুমন) when he converted to Islam . He shot to fame in the 1990s with albums such as Tomake Chai (Bangla
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
: তোমাকে চাই I Want You) and Boshe Anko (Bangla
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
: বসে আঁকো Sit-and-Draw).
Early life
Suman was born on March 16, 1949 to Sudhindranath and Uma Chattopadhyay at Cuttack, Orissa. He was trained in classical music in his childhood, under the tutelage of this father. He graduated from Jadavpur University with an honours in English Literature and a diploma in French language. He then worked briefly in All India RadioAll India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
and the United Bank of India
United Bank of India
United Bank of India is a state-owned financial services company headquartered in Kolkata, India. Presently the bank has a three-tier organizational setup consisting of its Head office in Kolkata, 31 Regional offices and 1600 branches spread all over India. However, its major presence is in...
. Suman left for Europe in the mid seventies, and worked as a radio journalist in the Voice of Germany
Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle or DW, is Germany's international broadcaster. The service is aimed at the overseas market. It broadcasts news and information on shortwave, Internet and satellite radio on 98.7 DZFE in 30 languages . It has a satellite television service , that is available in four languages, and...
(Bengali Dept.) from 1975-79. It is during this period that he heard the music of Bob Dylan in France, which became one of his most defining musical experiences.
Suman then went on to stay at the United States from 1980–1986, working for the Bengali language Department of the Voice of America at Washington D.C. Here, Suman came into contact with a number of musical and literary personalities including Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
and Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly...
. Suman also became highly interested in the Sandinista revolution at Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
during the mid eighties. Pete Seeger introduced him to Father Ernesto Cardenal
Ernesto Cardenal
Reverend Father Ernesto Cardenal Martínez is a Nicaraguan Catholic priest and was one of the most famous liberation theologians of the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, a party he has since left. From 1979 to 1987 he served as Nicaragua's first culture minister. He is also famous as a poet...
, the priest, poet, freedom fighter and Nicaragua's Minister of Culture. At Cardenal's invitation, Suman visited Nicaragua in 1985. He writes that he was largely impressed by what he saw in Nicaragua. It is here, that he also came into contact with the New Song Movement in Latin America.
Musical life
His contemporary urban, socially conscious songs draw upon both Bengali adhunik (modern) and Western folk and protest music. His work has been a major influence in the development of the Bengali songs, which has influenced bands like ChandrabindooChandrabindoo (band)
Chandrabindoo , based in Kolkata, is a bangla band. Their name refers both to the last character in the Bengali alphabet and to a dialogue from the nonsense work HaJaBaRaLa by Sukumar Ray....
, and has grown to become a major movement in contemporary Bengali music. Most of his songs are played solo with just a synthesiser or a guitar. Like many other Bengali singers, Suman has also recorded albums of Rabindra Sangeet
Rabindra Sangeet
Rabindra Sangeet , also known as Tagore Songs in English, is a form of music composed by Rabindranath Tagore who added a new dimension to the musical concept of India in general and Bengal in specific....
(Songs of Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
), starting in the late-1990s.
Suman's primary training was in Indian classical music and Rabindra Sangeet, and he picked up Western folk forms while living abroad in Germany and the United States. He finished his second contract with German International Radio in 1989, and returned to Kolkata.
In Kolkata,he was first associated with a band called "Nagorik", and released two albums "Onyo kotha onyo gaan 1" and "Onyo kotha onyo gaan 2". He released his first solo album, "Tomake Chai", in 1992, which was immensely successful. Since then he has released over twenties albums, his most recent one being "Lalmohaner Laash" in 2010.
Influences and legacy
Suman has often been credited with creating a new genre of music in Bengal,which is very simple, with lyrics that reflect common life experiences. He is sometimes referred to as the 'nagarik kabiyal' (city troubadour). His music also reflects on social mores, and is often directly political, and much of his oeuvre bears the influence of Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. He also transcrated Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind
Blowin' in the Wind
"Blowin' in the Wind" is a song written by Bob Dylan and released on his album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan in 1963. Although it has been described as a protest song, it poses a series of questions about peace, war and freedom...
" as "Uttoro to Jana" in his album 'Ichche Holo' in 1993 and "Farewell, Angelina" (initially recorded by Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
in 1965 and recorded by Bob Dylan himself and released in his 1991 compilation album "The Bootleg Series
The Bootleg Series
The Bootleg Series is a collection of albums by Bob Dylan, all featuring rare and unreleased material. To date, nine volumes have been released: the first three volumes as a contiguous set; Vol. 4 Live 1966; Vol. 5 Live 1975; Vol. 6 Live 1964; Vol. 7 No Direction Home; Vol. 8 Tell Tale Signs, and...
") as "Biday Porichita" in his 1997 album "Jatiswar". Dylan's influence is also obvious in the musical arrangements of his early albums, often consisting of only guitar and mouth-organ, both of which he played himself. Later on his musical arrangements became more elaborate.
Suman himself influenced a generation of singer-songwriters in Bengal, including Nachiketa Chakraborty and Anjan Dutta
Anjan Dutta
Anjan Dutta is a popular artist of the 1990s Bengali music scene defined by anyodharar gaan . Anjan Dutta's style of music is different from the others in the sense that it has simple tunes, one that is reminiscent of western folk music. His lyrics are simple and more natural...
.and others like Lopamudra Mitra
Lopamudra Mitra
Lopamudra Mitra is a Kolkata-based prominent Rabindra Sangeet and modern Bengali singer-songwriter.-Early life:Lopamudra was born in Kolkata, India and is daughter of Pranab Mitra and Sumita Mitra. Her mother is too a contemporary singer. She started learning music from her father and then from...
.
Political activities
Along with his musical contributions, Suman has always held strong political views. He was a journalist in NicaraguaNicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
during the Sandinista revolution and wrote Mukto Nicaragua (Liberated Nicaragua) on his experiences. During the 2002 Gujarat riots
2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
, he composed songs in protest against fundamentalism. He is also noted for his strong declamations against political opponents in public.
Since 2006, when Suman was involved in the land struggle in Nandigram
Nandigram violence
The Nandigram violence was an incident in Nandigram in the West Bengal state of India, where, to curb the terror build by All India Trinamool Congress and Maoists, on the orders of the West Bengal government, police entered the Nandigram area and violence erupted...
, he started aliging himself to All India Trinamool Congress
All India Trinamool Congress
The All India Trinamool Congress is a state political party in West Bengal. Founded in 1 January 1998, the party is led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress is currently the second largest member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition...
(TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee is the 11th and current chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal. She is the first woman to hold the office. Banerjee founded All India Trinamool Congress in 1997 and became chairperson, after separating from the Indian National Congress...
. His songs on the Nandigram land issues have been released on two albums, Nandigram and Pratirodh. Suman also participated in the Singur
Singur
Singur is a census town in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Singur railway station is 34 km from Howrah Station on the Howrah-Tarakeswar line. It is 2 km ahead of Kamarkundu junction, the crossing point of Howrah-Bardhaman chord and Howrah-Tarakeshwar lines. It is on...
agitation & other TMC party programmes on a regular basis.
He was present during the inauguration of TMC's stall in Kolkata Book Fair.2009.
The Trinamoool Congress nominated him for the 2009 general election
Indian general election, 2009
India held general elections to the 15th Lok Sabha in five phases between 16 April 2009 and 13 May 2009. With an electorate of 714 million , it was the largest democratic election in the world to date.By constitutional requirement, elections to the Lok Sabha must be...
from Jadavpur constituency
Jadavpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Jadavpur is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Jadavpur in West Bengal.-Assembly segments:...
in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, West Bengal, and won the election, defeating his nearest rival, Sujan Chakraborty
Sujan Chakraborty
Sujan Chakraborty is an Indian politician and a leader of the Communist Party of India political party. He was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha representing Jadavpur constituency in West Bengal state...
of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India is a political party in India. It has a strong presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. As of 2011, CPI is leading the state government in Tripura. It leads the Left Front coalition of leftist parties in various states and the national parliament of...
(CPI(M)) by 54,000 votes (by a 10% margin).
In November 2009, Suman had a spat with the Trinamool Congress. He complained that the local leaders of the party were not allowing him to work, and his views were not taken seriously in the party. However, the issue was resolved amicably in a series of closed door meetings.
Suman has also been vocal in his support for the movement of tribals in Lalgarh, and has composed an album called "Chatradharer Gaan" in support of the movement, going against the wishes of the party. Going against the party position, he has also expressed his protests against "Operation Green Hunt", the Indian Government's military operation in the areas hit by Naxal violence.
Suman,in the end of march 2010,claimed that he is going to leave Trinamool Congress and also his membership of the Parliament. Though on the request of Mahasweta Devi
Mahasweta Devi
Mahasweta Devi is an Indian social activist and writer.- Biography :Mahasweta Devi was born in 1926 in Dhaka, to literary parents in a Hindu Brahmin family. Her father Manish Ghatak was a well known poet and novelist of the Kallol era, who used the pseudonym Jubanashwa...
he postponed his resignation for seven days. Within a few days, however, he makes a u-turn and declares on the 7th of April that he does not want to resign by further embarrassing the party
Personal life and political views
Suman is married five times. He calls himself agnostic, nihilist-anarchist and a "polygamous" person.He is married to Sabina Yasmin
Sabina Yasmin
Sabina Yasmin is a popular singer of Bangladeshi origin. She is renowned in Bangladesh for her patriotic songs as well as her playback singing in Bangladeshi cinema...
, a popular Bangladeshi singer.