AR Rahman faces criticism for performing Bengali poet Qazi Nazrul’s Islamic freedom struggle song

The production of “Karar oi louho kopat” was shown in the movie “Pippa” (file)

Kolkata:

Controversy erupts over AR Rahman’s performance of a popular song by legendary Bengali poet Qazi Nazrul Islam in a new Bollywood film, with literary family members and the general public outraged over the ‘distortion’ of rhythm and melody. expressed. The rendition of ‘Karar oi louho kopat’ (Prison bars) was released in the war film ‘Pippa’ starring Ishaan Khatter and Mrunal Thakur.

Nazrul’s grandson, painter Qazi Anirban, told PTI on Saturday, “My mother agreed to use the song in the film, but she did not agree to change the melody. She did not agree to change the rhythm or melody. The way they finished the song was shocking.” ” Nazrul Islam, popularly known as the “Rebel Poet,” is the national poet of Bangladesh and a respected and much-loved figure in the Indian state of West Bengal.

“As his family and lovers of his work, we cannot accept this distortion. We will immediately remove it from the film and remove it from the public domain,” Nazrul’s granddaughter Anindita Kazi said in an audio message from the United States. I would like it to be deleted.” Popular Bengali singer Haimanti Shukla said her feelings were hurt by the “blasphemous act”.

“I wonder how a composer like AR Rahman could have done something like this…Such alterations to the songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam are unacceptable. It is a shame for the Bengali singers who participated in the performance. I am deeply outraged,” she said. she said.

The lyrics of this song were first published in Bangla Katha magazine in 1922 and included in Nazrul’s poetry collection Bangal Gaan. The song was first recorded by his famous label in 1949, and then another record was recorded by his label in 1952.

The performance also sparked outrage on social media, with netizens wondering if Rahman had done any research before playing the song.

However, historian and researcher Chinmoy Guha criticized the outrage, arguing that Bengalis were expressing their anger even though they had little desire to read or listen to Nazrul’s works. .

However, Rahman could not be reached for comment on the controversy.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)