Bappa rises to a Vertical Horizon in soulful return

After a short hiatus, Bappa Mazumder returned to the stage with a solo concert as part of the 'Yamaha One True Sound' series.

On Saturday evening (12 July), at the Yamaha Flagship Centre in Tejgaon, he took to the stage with his band Dalchhut, performing a mix of new tracks from his latest album, 'Vertical Horizon: Shei Shomoy, Ei Shomoy,' alongside familiar favourites from earlier years.

The show began at eight in the evening, though the lounge opened its doors an hour earlier. As the crowd trickled in, the space slowly filled with a warm buzz of anticipation. Groups of friends and couples began to chat softly, some browsed the CD and merch stall tucked away in a corner, while others quietly made their way to their seats, soaking in the calm before the music began.

The audience was made up largely of millennials – unsurprisingly, a testament to Bappa's lasting appeal and the quiet intimacy his music continues to evoke in a generation that grew up with his songs.

For many, his songs are woven into the soundtrack of their youth. His lyrics still speak to that lingering nostalgia of the 2000s and 2010s, and in this intimate setting, it felt as though time had gently folded back on itself.

Bappa started the show with  'Ek Cup Cha,' a song from his new album. The song captures the quiet solitude of the singer's world, where tea, sky, music, and rain become companions in a deeply personal space.

It reflects on loneliness, memory, and fleeting emotions, as nature and sound weave through stillness. The singer finds comfort and melancholy in mundane everyday moments – a passing breeze, a melody, a passing thought, all while sitting alone, trying to write, with a cup of tea by his side.

Then he sang 'Kokhono Icche Hoy,' which speaks of a deep, silent love – one that speaks of the longing to share quiet moments under moonlight, to feel the touch of love in small gestures, and to let time drift by together. Even in distance or neglect, the heart continues to dream, holding on to love in its purest, most peaceful form.

After two songs, Bappa talked a little bit about his new album, which is available both in CDs and on digital platforms. 

"One might even call it a kind of madness, especially as most people no longer own a CD player. Yet a few still keep one tucked away in an old desktop or the dashboard of a car," Bappa said.

For several years now, very few musicians in the country have released albums in CD format. Most tend to release singles through various digital platforms. In this era of Spotify and YouTube, releasing a CD album may indeed seem like madness to many – but Bappa said he felt a deep, personal urge to do so.

In his view, the convenience of streaming platforms can never replace the tangible experience of holding a CD. For him, when a listener buys a physical album, it instantly creates a meaningful connection between the artist and the audience.

"It seemed to me that the connection between people and music was fading. Music no longer feels personal because there is no physical contact. Gone are the emotions tied to buying a cassette or CD, holding it, and feeling its presence. The CD is an attempt to bring back that habit and emotional connection among music lovers."

The singer was taking song requests from the audience between performances, and listeners were eagerly shouting out the names of their favourite tracks, hoping to hear them from the man himself.

The singer took a short break after performing eight songs. Just before stepping offstage, he sang one of the most popular playback hits in recent years, 'Tor Premete Andho Holam.' Originally sung by James for the movie 'Satta', the song was composed and tuned by Bappa himself.

After the break, Bappa paid tribute to the singer-songwriter and late member of Dalchhut band, Sanjeeb Choudhury, with 'Ami Tomakei Bole Debo,' a confession of love and pain, shared with one trusted soul. 

It speaks of lonely nights, past mistakes, the weight of unspoken feelings, and finding beauty even in sorrow. In this song, the songwriter, maestro Sanjeeb himself, compared his beloved to both the colour of tears and the shadow of moonlight.

As Bappa sang the heartfelt track, the crowd joined in, their voices rising in unison. He would sing a line, then pause – letting the audience take over the next. It was an exchange between the artist and the audience, where every voice seemed to carry a piece of shared feeling.

Finally, the much-anticipated showstopper, 'Bioscope', before which Bappa had already sung one and a half dozen songs, brought the evening full circle. This nostalgic tale of young love, where a fleeting moment at a colourful village fair that leaves a lasting mark on the heart. As the final notes faded, the audience was left with a perfect close to an intimate evening, where music, memory, and emotion flowed effortlessly between performers and listeners.