Pratul Mukhopadhyay: The man who sang in Bangla, for Bangla

As the tides of Western modern music gradually took over the sanctity of Bangla songs, a voice emerged on the cusp of the 21st century that defied this drift. That voice belonged to Pratul Mukhopadhyay, and the song was 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai'—a melody that would soon become one of the greatest Bengali songs of all time. 

The moment it was released, it swept through the musical landscapes of both West Bengal and Bangladesh, binding listeners in a shared cultural embrace. Though Pratul was a West Bengal artiste, this one song etched his name permanently in the hearts of Bangladesh's music lovers.

But now, that voice has fallen silent forever. On 15 February, at the age of 82, Pratul Mukhopadhyay breathed his last in a hospital in Kolkata, where he had been undergoing treatment for over a month. 

His health had taken a turn for the worse at the beginning of January when he was admitted due to sudden nosebleeds. Then, a week before his passing, he was struck by breathlessness, and tests revealed a heart attack. As doctors fought to stabilise him, an infection spread to his lungs, and his condition spiralled downward until he slipped away.

Despite being based in Kolkata, Pratul was no stranger to Bangladesh. He often crossed borders to perform at concerts and TV shows, where audiences eagerly gathered to hear his voice. 

His song, 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' was first covered in Bangladesh by Mahmuduzzaman Babu, whose rendition cemented his own place among the country's beloved singers. In West Bengal, too, the song became an anthem, regularly performed by artistes like Anupam Roy, Durnibar Saha, Iman Chakraborty, and Sagarika Bhattacharya. Even the Indian film 'Kranti', starring the famous actor Jeet, borrowed its resonance.

Over the years, the song and its creator garnered numerous accolades from across the world. In March 2006, it reached a new pinnacle when a BBC Bangla listener survey ranked it among the top 20 greatest Bangla songs of all time.

For Pratul, music was never just an art—it was his entire existence. Even in his final days, lying frail in a hospital bed, he sang 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' to the doctors who tended to him. His passing sent ripples of sorrow through Bangladesh's music fraternity. 

Lyricist and Executive Director of the Nazrul Institute, Latiful Islam Shibli, remarked, "One song is enough to immortalise an artist. In any list of patriotic Bengali songs, 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' will always have its place. Through it, Pratul Mukhopadhyay will live forever in the hearts of Bengali-speaking people."

In 2003, Mahmuduzzaman Babu officially introduced the song to Bangladesh through an album, with its music arranged by musician Bappa Mazumder. Reflecting on Pratul's influence, Bappa shared, "Pratul Mukhopadhyay was a beacon of light. The loss of such luminaries is a great setback for Bangla music. Though I never met him in person, I saw him through his songs."

Though many knew him as a son of Kolkata, Pratul Mukhopadhyay's roots stretched back to undivided Bengal. He was born on 25 June 1942, in Barishal. 

However, in the wake of the partition in 1947, his family relocated to Kolkata. From a young age, he composed melodies to his own lyrics, shaping songs that resonated across generations. 

While 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' became his crowning achievement, other compositions like 'Alu Becho', 'Chhokra Chaand', 'Tomar Ki Kono Tulona Hoy', 'Shei Meyeti', and 'February Ekush Tarikh' also won over audiences time and again.

His legacy extends to albums such as 'Pathore Pathore Nache Agun', 'Jete Hobe', 'Otho He', 'Swapner Feriwala', 'Tomake Dekhechhilam', 'Shopnopuri', 'Onek Notun Bondhu Hok', and 'Adhar Naame' bear testament to his genius.

Pratul was never formally trained in music, yet he mastered the alchemy of words and melodies, turning raw emotion into song. His journey began with poet Mangalacharan Chattopadhyay's 'Amra Dhan Katar Gaan Gai'—a poem he set to music. Over time, he composed his own lyrics, weaving them into melodies that spoke to the soul.

Now, the man is gone, but his voice lingers. As long as Bangla music echoes in this world, 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' will endure, and with it, the name Pratul Mukhopadhyay will forever be whispered in reverence.