Folkইরা distribute clothes among the poor during release of their Durga Puja song

Oct. 19: Folkইরা, as the name suggests, is just like ‘old wine in new bottle’. A group of young chaps of this valley clubbed together and created magic. On Sunday, Folkইরা officially released their Durga Puja, 2020 special song on YouTube in a unique programme at Ellora Heritage Hall, Silchar. The release was unique in the sense that, the members of this musical band distributed new clothes among some poor ladies of the town during the occasion. Seeking their blessings, their puja special song was released.

Folkইরা invited to the dias some of the renowned personalities of the town and provided them the honour of giving away the clothes to the poor women. The guests also released their puja special song. Those who adorned the dias included Ajoy Roy, Raju Sengupta, Bhaskar Das, Satyajit Bose Joy, Joydeep Chakraborty, Swarnali Choudhury and Sudarshan Gupta. The programme was compered by Somshikha Mazumder.

The cloth distribution ceremony was followed by the release of their Durga Puja Special Song “Dhake Kathi.” All the guests present there applauded the song for its melody and unique visualisation. This music video can be watched in 1080p (full hd) in the YouTube page of Wedding Whistle & Subrajit’s Vlogography. Those behind this song are:

• Lyrics & Tune: Folkইরা
• Artists: Sayan Roy Kutan, Pritam Dutta, Debraj Bhattacharjee, Subhrangshu Paul, Jeet Paul, Swarnadeep Dey
• Music Arrangement: Nirupam Barbhuiya
• Mix & Mastering:  Ranabir Singha (Studio Rithika)
• DOP, Drone, Camera & Edit : Subrajit Paul
• Video Producer: Bikramjit Baulia

It needs mention here that during their 2nd anniversary on 3 June, Folkইরা distributed food items among the poor and needy. Sayan Roy, lifeline of Folkইরা said, “Keeping with our motto- From the people, for the people, we undertook this noble way of celebrating our 2nd foundation day.” Initially, Folkইরা went to Silchar Railway Station where they provided the food packets to the homeless people there. Then they went to the Narsing School Field where Gandhi Mela was organised by Silchar Municipality. Some people of a circus party who got stranded there due to lockdown were also provided the food packets by Folkইরা. From there, they went to Malini Beel, where people affected by flood were given the food packets. Finally, they distributed packets among those mentally retarded lot staying along the road.

Folkইরা Band made its first appearance in the ‘Gaan Mela’ that was jointly organised by Somokal and Swaralipi on 31 December 2017. Speaking of its members, while the talented Pritam Dutta, Sayon Ray Kuton and Debraj Bhattacherjee rule hearts with their vocals, Shubrangshu Paul, Swarnadip Dey and Sudarshan Nath spread smiles with their music. Speaking to way2barak, Folkইরা mentioned that though all of them belong from different walks of life but there is an invisible love for music which attach the strings between them.

From ‘Rabindra Sangeet’ to ‘Nazrul Geeti’, from ‘Unisher Gaan’ to songs of different singers and writers of this valley, they sing all kind of songs. Songs of the famous legends like Hason, Lalon, Radharomon, Shah Abdul Karim are also added to the list of their favorites. Though they sing all kind of songs but ‘folk’ is what ‘Folkইরা’ is known for.

Folkইরা released their first music video, ‘Bolo Durga Mai ki,’ in the year 2018. The second video ‘Maa amar pagolini, Baba ganjakhor’ also made a blast entry for the music maniacs. Their most recent release is ‘Dilona Dilona’. The lyrics and music of this is given by Shah Alom Sarkar. Folkইরা is a revolution for the folk tradition. Their contribution, dedication and effort really seems to be praise worthy.