HER HAPPY DEMEANOUR and sweet voice raised an anthem . With conviction, Malini Banerjee sings Aami Haartey Raaji Noi (I am not giving up). Her latest anthemic single that was launched at TopCat CCU last week gets on board a robust music ensemble from the city. Known for singing in popular TV shows and Hindi and Bengali films, the young city-based artiste talks about gaining strength with the song, being a part of Amyt Datta’s Ziba, and more...
Of hope and harmony
Wearing a light-toned sari with a black spaghetti top, Malini informs us that she wrote the song back in 2013. What took so long to share it with the world? “I know I sat on the song for six years. The song stems from a rough patch of my life and in the first few years, it was very difficult to share it. But as it is said, everything has a right time, and I felt this is the time to share the song,” explains Malini, who insists the process was therapeutic for her. Elaborating further she says, “I’m generally comfortable writing in English or Hindi, but surprisingly, the lyrics of this song was written in Bengali while I was in Mumbai. I stumbled upon it two-three years ago in a diary. I added a third verse to the song and from a therapeutic process, it actually became a song with a generic message. Anyone who has gone through similar situations will be able to relate to it and gain strength from it.” Sonically, Ami Harte Raaji Noi is a rock ballad and has been produced and arranged by Bodhisattwa Ghosh. Gaurab Chatterjee or Gabu blends in the drums while Akash Ganguly on bass and Sudipto Paul on keys enhance the soundscape of the single. Talking about the music, the chirpy singer says, “The genre of rock seems to fit the song naturally. It’s a rock ballad and something we grew up listening to in the ’90s. Being in a rock form, it’s easy for people to hum and sing along.”
Jamming with Ziba
Malini has joined Ziba as the lead singer, and the band in its new avatar has already hosted a couple of gigs in the city. Sharing her excitement of being the band’s frontman, started by Indian guitar virtuso Amyt Datta, she says, “To be honest, I have had sleepless nights. I was very surprised when I was approached to be the lead singer of the band and I am too small to call Amyt Datta my bandmate. I was very nervous for the first couple of months, even scared to open my mouth in the fear of embarrassing myself. Amyt da is a wonderful mentor and the sort of perspective I gained under him is incredible.” Trained in Hindustani Classical Music, Malini who sings jazz, Rabindra sangeet, and R&B is bringing a different flavour to Ziba, though there is still time to define their music, she avers. “My mellow and smoky voice has changed the character of the band, which was more raw and rustic. We are still tinkering around and currently, we are doing semi-classical and thumri,” says Malini before signing off.