Nachiketa (Sanskrit:नचिकेता, IAST: Naciketā) is the child protagonist in an ancient Indian fable about the nature of the soul and Brahman. The story is told in the Katha Upanishad (ca. 5th c. CE), though the name has several earlier references. He was taught Self-knowledge, the separation of the human soul (the supreme Self) from the body, by the god of Death, Yama. Nachiketa is noted for his rejection of material desires which are effervescent, and for his single-minded pursuit of the path of realising Brahman / Moksha i.e. emancipation of the soul from rebirth.

The name Nachiketa, (''na chiketas'', that which is unperceived) "refers to the quickening Spirit that lies within all things like fire, latent in wood, the spirit that gives." Nachiketa was a son of the sage Vājashravasa (वाजश्रवसः, ''famed for donations'').

Earlier References

The Rigveda Rigveda 10.135 talks of Yama and a child, who may be a reference to Nachiketa. He is also mentioned in the Taittiriya Brahmana, 3.1.8'' Later, in the Mahabharata, the name appears as one of the sages present in the ''Sabha'' (royal assembly) of King Yudhisthira (''Sabha Parva'', Section IV,) and also in the ''Anusasana Parva'' (106). However, the primary story, dealing with the dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama, comes from the later Kathopanishad, which is summarized below.

Katha Upanishad: Nachiketa and Yama

Vājashrava, desiring a gift from the gods, started an offering to donate all his possessions. But Nachiketa noticed that he was donating only the cows that were old, barren, blind, or lame; not such as might buy the worshiper a place in Heaven. Nachiketa wanting the best for his father's rite, asked: "I too am yours, to which god will you offer me?". After being pestered thus, vAjashrava answered in a fit of anger, "I give you to Death (Yama)".

So Nachiketa went to Death's home, but the god was out, and he waited three days. When Yama returned, he was sorry to see that a Brahman guest had been waiting so long. He told Nachiketa, "You have waited in my house for three days without hospitality, therefore ask three boons of me". Nachiketa first asked for peace for his father and himself. Yama agreed. Next, Nachiketa wished to learn the sacred fire sacrifice, which also Yama elaborated. For his third boon, Nachiketa asked to learn the mystery of what comes after death.

Yama was reluctant on this question; he said that this had been a mystery even to the gods. He asked Nachiketa to ask for some other boon, and offered many material gains.

But Nachiketa replied that material things will last only till the morrow. He who has encountered Death personally, how can he desire wealth? No other boon would do. Yama was secretly pleased with this disciple, and elaborated on the nature of the true Self, which persists beyond death. The key of the realization is that this Self (within each person) is inseparable from Brahman, the supreme spirit, the vital force in the universe. Yama's explanation is a succinct explication of Hindu metaphysics, and focuses on the following points:

The sound ''Om!'' is the syllable of the supreme Brahman

The Self, whose symbol is ''Om'' is the same as the omnipresent Brahman. Smaller than the smallest and larger than the largest, the Self is formless and all-pervading.

The goal of the wise is to know this Self.

The Self is like a rider; the horses are the senses, which he guides through the maze of desires.

After death, it is the Self that remains; the Self is immortal.

Mere reading of the scriptures or intellectual learning cannot realize Self.

One must discriminate the self from the body, which is the seat of desire.

Inability to realize Brahman results in one being enmeshed in the cycle of rebirths. Understanding the Self leads to moksha

Thus having learnt the wisdom of the Brahman from Yama, Nachiketa was freed from the cycle of births.

References

Sister Nivedita & Ananda K.Coomaraswamy: Myths and Legends of the Hindus and Bhuddhists, Kolkata, 2001 ISBN 81-7505-197-3

Sri Krishna Prem: ''The Yoga of the Kathopanishad'', London, John M. Watkins, 1955 (No ISBN)

Swami Krishnananda.org

A History of Pre-Buddhistic Indian Philosophy By Benimadhab Barua

Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world By Gaṅgā Rām Garg

External links

The Mahabharata, Book 13, ''Anusanana Parva'' sacred-texts.com

Category:Hindu sages Category:Hindu philosophers Category:Ontologists Category:People in Hindu mythology

bn:নচিকেতা (হিন্দু পুরাণ) hi:वाजश्रवसपुत्र नचिकेता ml:നചികേതസ് te:నచికేతుడు

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
name	Anjan Dutta
background	group_or_band
birth date	January 19, 1953
birth place	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
occupation	Urban Folk, Bengali Modern, Actor, Director
years active	1981–present
notable instruments	}}

Anjan Dutta (Born 19 January 1953) is a popular artist of the 1990s Bengali music scene defined by ''anyodharar gaan'' (alternative songs). 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. Anjan's music is somewhat influenced by blues, bluegrass, folk and country music. He is the first Bengali artist to depend more on the saxophone. He is an admitted fan of Bob Dylan and his Bengali contemporary Kabir Suman.

Anjan is also an accomplished actor. He started his career as an actor in Bengali cinema. His first film was ''Chalachitro'' directed by Mrinal Sen, where he won the prize for the best newcomer actor, at the Venice Film Festival. Recently, he has acted in Aparna Sen's film, ''Mr. and Mrs. Iyer''. Anjan Dutta may be regarded as one of the best serious actors in the Indian serious cinema movement, that has seen the likes of Mrinal Sen's much-esteemed film "Bhuvan Som". Anjan Dutta has been regarded by some as being the 'angry young man' of serious cinema in contemporary India.

Early years

Anjan Dutta was raised in the mountains of North Bengal. He had his schooling from the esteemed St. Paul's School located in Darjeeling. He did not get much opportunity to listen to traditional Bengali songs (like Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti) but became well acquainted with western folk and country music around that time. Initially, he had no plans to make career for himself as a singer. His father was a solicitor, who he wanted his son to take up a career in law, young Anjan was more inclined to working in theaters and cinema. He earned an MA degree in English literature from the University of Calcutta, in India. His friends inspired him to consider taking acting seriously as a profession. During his university days, he started working in theaters with thespian Badal Sarkar.

In late seventies, he joined a group called 'Open Theatre' and in early eighties performed plays translated from works of renowned foreign playwrights like Sartre, Peter Weiss, Jean Genet and Bertold Brecht.The group clearly drew inspiration from Nandikar a highly active and an already famous theater group at that time. But due to politically sensitive content, they faced many obstructions in producing and performing their work, and eventually the group had to discontinue its repertoire.

He was first selected in a feature film named 'Chalachitro' that was directed by renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen. This was an unexpected break for him. The film with Anjan's performance got critical acclaim in the Venice Film Festival but for unknown reasons, it was never released commercially. After that although he worked as an actor in the film-making industry, he was more interested in doing art cinema (or films with aesthetically sensible filmmakers) rather than commercial mainstream cinema. After doing a few art films that were not so commercially successful, including the critically well received 'Juganto', scarcity of job opportunities forced him to take up jobs in advertising and later as a journalist for the Kolkata based daily, The Statesman.

Introduction to Singing

At that time, Anjan was greatly influenced by the music of Suman Chatterjee (now known as Kabir Suman) who had heralded a new era in Bengali music through his powerful songs, that were very different from the pre-existing genres of Bengali music. These songs and lyrics, commonly referred to as ''Jeebonmukhi'' (literally meaning ''towards life''), concerned itself with the tough reality of Bengali middle class social life, in and around Kolkata. Anjan started translating some English songs. In his efforts, he was supported and constantly inspired by his ideological precursor, Suman Chatterjee himself. Dutta later decided to delve into the music arena on his own. When HMV offered to publish his songs, he finally realized that he had to take it seriously.

Anjan: a new dimension to Bangla music

Anjan Dutt is distinguished by a new style he developed, in which a deep influence of theatrical representation is perceptible. In songs like 'bose achi Istisionete' (''I am sitting inside the railway station'') or 'Maser prothom dinta' (''The first day of the month''), this theme of theatrical realism becomes obvious. He is deft at bringing out the subtle nuances of the urban landscape in his lyrics. A substantial portion of his songs capture stories of various urban creatures like ''Raja Roy'', ''Samson'', ''Horipado'', ''Mala'' , ''Roma'' and numerous other characters who have come alive through his songs.

Singing career

It is well known that Anjan Dutta's songs are influenced by classical music, and especially country music and blues. Initially, he composed more upbeat, comparatively light-hearted compositions like ''Calcium'', ''Haripada'', ''Ranjana'' among others. These songs were influenced by numbers like Cecilia, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard or the Beatles' track Nowhere Man. But gradually he moved on to more serious lyrics inspired by the ballads of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen and soon developed a unique style of his own, that was truly Bengali in its core, although universal in its appeal. The style is more reminiscent of the jazz, blues and rock and roll. Dutta was also inspired by eminent western singers like Don McLean, Donovan, John Denver and Paul Simon.

Anjan Dutta belonged to an era of pre-discothèque, pre-lounge-bar Bengalis who were slowly turning on their discmans as the ubiquitous radios started their journeys to oblivion. As like the oeuvre of Suman Chatterjee, Anjan's songs spoke of the middle-class Bengalis and their dreams, aspirations, their fulfillments and failures—without being too sermonizing or too sighing. He can be credited with giving rise to a new generation of urban Calcuttan youth who learned to thrive and prosper in the wistful mediocrities of lost or unrequited love, temporary unemployment, breaking of dreams, hearts, hearths or even the first kiss or the first swig of rum.

According to him, his music can be categorized as 'urban folk'. But in broad spectrum, it falls under modern Bengali popular music. The mood also keeps changing. For example ''Duto Manush'' (''Two human beings'') speaks of the break-up of a couple after a violent clash,''Bondhu'' (''Friend'') revolves around a theme of refusal to a love proposal, whereas ''Shunte ki Chao''(''Do you really want to know?'') or ''Neel'' deals with the mourning of lost innocence of childhood. ''Kolkata-16'' which is basically an address in the Park Street region of Kolkata is a tribute to that street which is so intimately related to little pieces of joy and sorrow of the singer's life. He has also dealt with current matters in his songs like the brutal killing of fundamentalist Christian Missionary Graham Staines and his children in a remote district of Orissa (West Bengal's neighboring province).The song ''Sokal'' (''Morning'') depicts the empty materialism of modern lifestyle whereas songs like ''Kanchan'' and ''Darjeeling'' are tributes to his childhood spent in the Himalayan foothills. His two most favorite themes are the guitar and the rugged face of Kolkata, which returns recurring in many of his songs. This varying choice of themes combined with an eclectic unique style, made him one of the three cult figures of post-nineties era in Bengali popular music, besides Suman and Nachiketa.

It is worth mentioning that Anjan Dutta has an ardent fan-following especially within college and university students and young urbanites and he maintains a steady popularity within his selected audience. His other works includes "Priyo Bandhu" (''Best Friend''), a voice play performed with Nima Rehman. He has also done a few English compilations like ''Bandra Blues''.'' When all Indians were feeling proud about A R Rahaman at wining historic two oscars he is one of the critical persons who raised his voice by saying that this has nothing to do with India as it being purely a foreign movie.''

Discography

1994 - Shunte Ki Chao

2441139 (5:12)

Akash Bhora (6:17)

Alibaba (2:32)

Boshe Achhi Istishanay (4:22)

Darjeeling (4:35)

Horipado (4:21)

Mon Amar (4:13)

Ranjana (3:57)

Shunte ki Chao? (5:34)

Tumi na Thakle (2:36)

TV Dekhona (3:45)

1995 - Purono Guitar

Brishti (4:36)

Calcium (3:21)

Duto Manush (2:27)

Jachhe Chole (3:44)

Mary Anne (3:56)

Purono Guitar (4:32)

Raju Rani Rambo (4:25)

Roma (4:08)

Samson (8:20)

Tumi Ashbe Bole (5:08)

1996 - Bhalobashi Tomay

Bhalobashi Tomay (3:19)

Bhengchi Kete Dyakh (3:04)

Bobby Roy (6:38)

Das Cabin (4:42)

Debolina (4:09)

Ghawr (3:34)

Mala (4:31)

Masher Prothom Din (3:54)

Raja Ray (5:20)

Shesh Bole Kichhu Nei (4:46)

1997 - Keu Gaan Gaye

Bob Dylan-r gaan (4:50)

Boyesh Amar Baro (3:36)

Chyapta Golap (4:42)

Firey Ashbo (4:40)

Kanchan (6:33)

Keu Gaan Gaye (4:33)

Mr. Hall (5:40)

Mrs. Mukherjee (4:58)

Niye Ja (5:54)

Odhbhut Bhalo Lokta (4:59)

1998 - Ma

54-A AJC Bose Road (5:22)

Bhalobasha (4:32)

My Sweet Mother (5:26)

Teresa (3:40)

1998 - Chalo Bodlai

Bhaloi Achhi (2:49)

Chalo Bodlai (4:32)

Dushtu Gaan (4:49)

Gaanola (2:16) - (with Abhisekh Mukherjee)

Jermy-r Behala (6:05)

Jhogra (4:20)

Kuasha (3:56)

Parini (2:26)

Ponerote Atkey (4:56)

Sesh Gachh (4:18)

Sunshine (4:54)

Tumi Dekhechho ki? (4:35)

1998 - Priyo Bandhu

Priyo Bandhu (48:41) - (with Nima Rehman & Parashpathar)

1999 - Hello Bangladesh

Amar Gaan (6:39)

Baner Jawle (4:49)

Chhader Gaan (4:30)

Chowkh Duto (3:22)

Dekhechhi Tomay (6:16)

Dhaka 1215 (3:04)

Hello Bangladesh (6:14)

Lucky Akhand (4:52)

Neela (4:49)

Pahari Gaan (3:31)

Passport Lagena (4:52)

Tomar Jonyo (4:53)

1999 - Kolkata-16

Amar Janla (3:35)

Bandhu Tomar (4:25)

Ekdin Brishtite (4:48)

Ekje Chhilo Ghora (5:37)

Half chocolate (4:02)

Jaar Ekta Naam (3:47)

Jete Hobe (4:09)

Kolkata-16 (4:41)

La Paloma Johnny (4:22)

Sokalbelar Khide (5:07)

2000 - Bandra Blues

Ali Baba (3:26)

Bandra Blues (4:52)

Come a Song (4:10)

Daily Diet (6:28)

Hashmi and Being Free (5:34)

Love is an 8-Lettered Word (3:49)

Middle Man (4:14)

Mizo Boy (4:43)

Mr. Brown (5:31)

Two People (3:23)

2000 - Asamoy

Asamoy (5:03)

Chalshe (4:05)

Chhotoder Chhotto Gaan (1:42)

Chowkher Jowl Kinba Pani (5:23)

Darjeeling (2) (3:46)

Happy Birthday (5:10)

Kawto Sikkha (3:36)

Khyapa Sahor (5:29)

Neel (5:11)

Shitkaaler Chithi (4:33)

2001 - Rawng Pencil

Baroder Byapar (1:25)

Chhoto Baksho (2:50)

Darjeeling-r Rastay (4:17)

Jalapaharer Daake (5:02)

Joyita (3:59)

Khata Pencil (4:56)

Rawng Pencil (4:01)

Rubina Ruparrel (4:09)

Sukai Chachar Ishkul (3:59)

Where have All the Flowers Gone? (5:34)

2004 - Onekdin Por

Chheleta (3:02)

De Gamma (5:19)

Duto Bandhu (2:25) - (with Kabir Suman)

Gobindo (2:23)

Nepali (3:42)

Onekdin Por (3:00) - (with Kabir Suman)

2005 - Ichchhe Korei Eksathe

Ar kawto Shantona Debe! (4:19)

Bandhur Khnoj (3:39)

Ektu Dekhi Kopal Chhnuye (4:01)

Ichchhe Kore Eksathe (5:54)

Kal Theke Manush Habo (4:13)

Klanto Ami (5:15)

Sharata Din Manush Dekhi (5:12)

Shohure Ghorchhara (5:12)

2007 - Abar Pothey Dekha

Aakash Dekhte Chai (5:12)

Kopal Chhowar Ichchha (4:01)

Shantona (4:19)

2007 - Ami ar Godot

Aami ar Ashbona (3:31)

Aami ar Godot (3:34) - (with Neel Dutta)

Cinema (8:32)

Jagoter Baire (6:22)

Thakbo Tomar Sathe (7:01)

Tomar holo Shuru (4:12) - (with Neel Dutta)

Other Songs (1996–2009)

Khawar Gaan (3:02) - (with Nachiketa Chakravarty & Suman Chattopadhyay)

Hotuk Shob Oshundor (1:58) - (with Shalini Chatterjee, Shayari Das, Tanushree Haldar & Sreetoma Ghosh)

Feludar Gaan (3:04) - (with Nachiketa Chakravarty & Suman Chattopadhyay)

Freedom (5:37) - (with Indrani Sen, Indranil Sen & Others)

Sadhinota (4:50) - (with Indrani Sen, Indranil Sen & Others)

Ekushe Pa (3:57)

Bow Barracks Forever! (4:38)

Tumi Na thakle (4:25) - (with Usha Uthhup)

Chalo Let's Go.. (4:43)

Ei Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoy (4:30) - (with Srikanta Acharya & Others)

Jedike Rasta (3:45)

Tumi Nei Tai (4:07)

Kato ki Korar Chhilo (4:32)

On Screen

Actor:

Ranjana Ami Ar Asbona (Bengali,2011)

Mahanagar @ Kolkata (Bengali, 2010)

Madly Bangalee (Bengali, 2009)

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002)

Dekha (2001) .... Sarama's husband

Yugant (1995) .... Deepak ... aka What the Sea Said (India: English title)

Antareen (1994) .... The Writer ... aka The Confined

Shilpi (1993) ... aka The Artist ... aka The Dreamer

Sunya Theke Suru (1993) ... aka A Return to Zero (India: English title)

City of Joy (1992) .... Dr. Sunil ... aka Cité de la joie, La (France)

Mahaprithivi (1992) .... Younger Son ... aka World Within, World Without

City of Hope (1991)

Ek Din Achanak (1989) (as Anjan Dutta) .... Neeta's boyfriend ... aka Suddenly, One Day

Nuit Bengali, La (1988) .... Khokha ... aka Bengali Night

Grihajuddha (1982) .... Bijon ... aka Crossroads ... aka The Crossroad

Kharij (1982) .... Anjan Sen ... aka The Case Is Closed

Chaalchitra (1981) .... Dipu ... aka The Kaleidoscope

Director:

Ranjana Ami Ar Asbona (Bengali, 2011)

Byomkesh Bakshi(Bengali, 2010)

Madly Bangalee (Bengali, 2009)

Chowrasta: Crossroads of Love (Bengali, 2009)

Chalo Let's Go(Bengali, 2008)

Bow Barracks Forever(English, 2007)

The Bong Connection(English, 2007)

Chalo Anjan ... A Travel & Talk Show with celebrities

Rudra Sener Diary (Tele Film/Series)

Half Chocolate (Tele Serial)

Bada Din (Hindi, 1997)

Kanchanjangha (Telefilm)

He has finished his new Hindi feature film "BBD" featuring Naseeruddin Shah, K K Menon, Jimmy Shergill , Sandhya Mridul and Sonali Kulkarni.

External links

Interview by Biswadip Mitra

Interview with Anjan Dutta

Listen to songs of Anjan dutta

Anjan Dutta Unofficial Fan Club

Category:Indian musicians Category:Living people Category:University of Calcutta alumni Category:Old Paulites Category:Bengali musicians Category:Bengali music Category:Bengali film directors Category:Indian television directors

bn:অঞ্জন দত্ত

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
name	Kabir Suman
bengali name	কবির সুমন
original name	Suman Chattopadhyay
birthyear	1949
background	solo_singer
origin	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
genre	Bengali Modern Songs , Rabindra Sangeet
years active	1992–present
associated acts	Singer, Songwriter, Musician, guitarist, poet, journalist, T.V.Presenter, Actor, politician
notable instruments	}}

name	Kabir Suman
birth date	March 16, 1949
birth place	Kolkata, West Bengal
constituency	Jadavpur
office	Member of Parliament
predecessor	Sujan Chakraborty
party	Trinamool Congress
religion	Islam
alma mater	Jadavpur University
profession	Musician, Journalist, Writer
spouse	Sabina Yasmin
footnotes	}}

Kabir Suman (; born 16 March 1949) is a Kolkata-based modern Bengali 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'').

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 Radio 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.

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 Chandrabindoo, 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.

Influences and legacy

Suman has often been credited with creating a new genre of music in Bengal, called ''Jibanmukhi Gaan'' (songs facing life), 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 Dylan (he also transcrated Dylan's 'Blowin' in the wind' as 'Uttoro to Jana' album 'Ichche Holo' (1993). 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.

Political activities

Along with his musical contributions, Suman has always held strong political views. He was a journalist in Nicaragua 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

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, a popular Bangladeshi singer.

References

External links

Official Site

Short Bio

Kabir Suman -Profile

Translations of his songs

Indian Foundation for Arts page on Suman

Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:Converts to Islam Category:15th Lok Sabha members Category:Bengali musicians Category:Bengali poets Category:People from Kolkata Category:All India Trinamool Congress politicians Category:Indian Muslims Category:Jadavpur University alumni

bn:কবীর সুমন

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
name	Nachiketa
background	non_performing_personnel
birth name	Nachiketa Chakraborty
origin	Kolkata
genre	Jeebonmukhi
occupation	Playback singer, composer, actor
years active	1990 - present
label	HMV }}

Nachiketa (born Nachiketa Chakraborty ) is an Indian Bengali singer-songwriter and composer who is known for his modern Bengali lyrics and natural mode of singing. He achieved fame in the early nineties, with the release of his debut album ''Ei Besh Bhalo Achhi'' He started his career with the help of former minister Subhas Chakraborty.

Early life

He started composing and performing as a student of Asutosh College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.

Discography

Solo Album

Ei Besh Bhalo Achhi

Ki Hobe

Ke Jay

Ei Agune Haath Rakho

Ekla Choltey Hoy

Kuasha Jokhon

Dolchut

Chol Jabo Toke Niye

Daybhaar

Ami Pari

Tirjaak

Haoa Bodol

asomoy

Albums with other artists

Yatra ( collection of rabindra sangeet with Ustaad Rashid Khan )(2009)

Feere Dekha ( with Subhamita )

Playback Singer

Sedin chaitra mas

Mumbai Cutting (Unreleased) (2009)

Go for Goals (2009)

10:10 (2008)

Khela (2008)

The Bong Connection (2007)

Omkara (2006)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005)

Jackpot (2009)

Prem Amar (2009)

Josh (2010)

Target (2010)

Music Director

Hum (The Unity) (Unreleased) (2009)

Samudra Sakshi (2004)

Go for Goals (2009)

Amit kumar

References

External links

'Yes, I'm arrogant. So what?'

Category:Bengali musicians Category:Indian composers Category:Bengali people Category:Living people Category:Alumni of Asutosh College, Kolkata Category:University of Calcutta alumni

bn:নচিকেতা চক্রবর্তী

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
Name	Ustad Rashid Khan
Background	solo_singer
Birth date	July 01, 1966
Origin	Badayun, UP, India
Genre	Hindustani classical music, Rampur-Sahaswan gharana
Occupation	Classical Vocalist
Years active	1977–present }}

Ustad Rashid Khan (born 1 July 1966) is an Indian classical musician in the Hindustani music tradition. He belongs to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, and is the great grandson of Gharana founder Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan.

In a story told in several versions, it appears that Pandit Bhimsen Joshi said at one point, that Rashid Khan was the "assurance for the future of Indian vocal music". He was awarded the Padma Shri, as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2006.

Early life

Born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh. He received his initial training from his maternal grand-uncle, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan (1909–1993). He is also the nephew of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

As a child he had little interest in music. His uncle Ghulam Mustafa Khan was among the first to note his musical talents, and for some time trained him in Mumbai. However, he received his main training from Nissar Hussain Khan, initially at his house in Badayun. A strict disciplinarian, Nissar Hussain Khan would insist on voice training (''sur sAdhanA'') from four in the morning, and make Rashid practice one note of the scale for hours on end. A whole day would be spent on practising just a single note. Although Rashid detested these lessons as a child, but the disciplined training shows in his easy mastery of taan (glissandos) and layakaari today. It was not until he was 18 that Rashid began to truly enjoy his musical training.

Career

Rashid Khan gave his first concert at age eleven, and the following year, 1978, he performed at an ITC concert in Delhi. In April 1980, when Nissar Hussain Khan moved to the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA), Calcutta, Rashid Khan also joined the academy at the age of 14. By 1994, he was acknowledged as a musician (a formal process) at the academy.

Musical style

The Rampur-Sahaswan ''gayaki'' (style of singing) is closely related to the Gwalior Gharana, which features medium-slow tempos, a full-throated voice and intricate rhythmic play. Rashid Khan includes the slow elaboration in his vilambit khayals in the manner of his maternal grand-uncle and also developed exceptional expertise in the use of sargams and sargam ''taankari'' (play on the scale).

He is also a master of the tarana like his guru but sings them in his own manner, preferring the khayal style rather than the instrumental stroke-based style for which Nissar Hussain was famous. There is no imitation of instrumental tone. His mastery of all aspects tonal variations, dynamics and timbre adjustment leave very little to be desired in the realm of voice culture.

His renderings stand out for the emotional overtones in his melodic elaboration. He says: "The emotional content may be in the alaap, sometimes while singing the bandish, or while giving expression to the meaning of the lyrics." This brings a touch of modernity to his style, as compared to the older maestros, who placed greater emphasis on impressive technique and skillful execution of difficult passages.

Rashid Khan has also experimented with fusing pure Hindustani music with lighter musical genres, e.g. in the Sufi fusion recording ''Naina Piya Se'' (songs of Amir Khusro), or in experimental concerts with western instrumentalist Louis Banks. He has also performed jugalbandis, along with sitarist Shahid Parvez and others.

Discography

Aao Ge Jab - Jab We Met

The Song of Shiva

Morning Mantra

Allah Hi Rahem - My Name Is Khan

Yatra - A Journey of Rabindrasangeet & Hindustani Classical Bandish, with Nachiketa Chakraborty

Naina Piya Se

Raga Bageshri / Desh (1991)

Raga Yaman / Raga Kirwani (1994)

Khyal (1996)

Live In Concert: Moreton Centre (2000)

The Genius of Rashid Khan (2000)

The Song of Shiva (2000)

In London (2000)

Voice of India (2002)

Morning Mantra (2003)

Yearning (2006)

Reflection (2006)

Awards

Padma Shri (2006)

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2006)

Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA) (2010)

References

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Hindustani singers Category:People from Badaun Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

ml:ഉസ്താദ് റഷീദ് ഖാൻ