Bhoomi (band)
| Bhoomi | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Genres | folk, fusion |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Sa Re Ga Ma, Times Music, Universal Music Group |
| Website | http://www.bhoomiband.com |
Bhoomi (ভূমি)(literally means earth)[1] is a Bengali urban folk music group based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Starting in 1999,[1] it soon become hugely popular and performed in various local, national and international platforms. In July 2006 they performed at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.[2][3] Bhoomi has also performed in Montreal Jazz Festival in 2008.
Style
This is the only band which defines its music as ‘urban folk'. The band uses a fusion of modern, urban lyrics with rural Bengali folk tunes like baul, which was a very early style of music by wandering minstrels in rural Bengal or Bhatiyali (traditionally sung by the boatmen on the Ganges and also the Padma in Bangladesh). They have also re-done old folk songs which were unknown to the modern day urban Bengali and revived such gems with an infusion of fresh music and a lively spirit and pep to the old songs.
The band's efforts have been to expand their brand of urban music beyond the college campus and youth circuit to the older listeners. One of their main inspirations behind their music is everyday city life, which they experience and which is experienced by so many people everywhere.
Their popularity is rooted in a unique sound that combines a variety of traditional folk tunes with an array of western rhythms with western instrumentations and mixed harmoniously with Bengal's folk instruments like the Khamak, Ektara, Khonjoni, etc.
Members
Their current line-up includes 4 band members -
- Soumitra Ray - Song writer, Composer, Lead vocals, Drums, Congas, Bongos and Percussion
- Hemanto Goswami - Acoustic, Electric Guitar and backing vocalist
- Abhijit Ghosh - Bass Guitar and backing vocals
- Robin Lai - Keyboards, Violin, Harmonium and also the sound engineer of the band
Former Member
Albums
- Jatra Shuru (2000)
- Udaan (2001)
- Isspecial (2002)
- Paal Chhutechhe (2003)
- Lokogeeti Local (2004)
- Dekhtey Dekhtey (2004)
- Bojhai Kora Ganer Gari (2005)
- Gaan Bahan (2007) (includes the song written in English especially for the UN performance "For A Better Day")
- Lokegeetir Deshe (2008)
- Aamra Notun Jouboner Doot (2009) (Rabindrasangeet by Bhoomi)
- Gaan Doriyae (2010) (Released 8 September)
- Desh Judey (2011) (Hindustani folk songs)
- Ekir Mikir
References
- 1 2 Songs from the Bengali Earth: Bhoomi’s Top 10 Archived 16 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine.gibsonguitar.in. Retrieved 20 March 2013
- ↑ Bhoomi goes to UNtimesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013
- ↑ On a song at UN- Bhoomi receives standing ovationtelegraphindia.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013