70s Bengali tracks are still more popular than contemporary songs: Haimanti Sukla

“Just remember how popular those number are till this date. These songs by all the leading artistes of the 60s – to 80s by my elders and
contemporaries and even younger ones are still sought after by the present day Bengalis – even the youth. While some of the modern lyrics just blow over my head but yes some lyrics penned by the newgen composers are just brilliant,” Haimanti,  who  recorded her fist song ‘E to kanna noy aamar’ in 1972 and did not look back, tells IBNS..

The dulcet-voiced singer was speaking at the album launch ‘Harao Sur' , comprising chart-topping tracks of TV serial and telefilms of the
80s by singers from Udit Narayan to Haimanti Sukla, Banasree Sengupta to Sakti Thakur and others.

Turning to the name of the album, invoking memories of a Uttam Kumar-Suchitra Sen blockbuster of black and white era, Haimanti says “It rings in nostalgia and we can’t do away with our nostalgia.”

Haimanti, the popular singer with a strong Hindustani classical music training, says, “Sikksha (training) goes hand in hand with sincerity
which was a hallmark of yesteryear’s aspirants to make a career in singing.

“Just think about it. Why we are asked to sing the numbers we had recorded 25-30 years back or even more in most concerts?  We are not asked to sing our recent recordings in that way,” Haimanti, who had done playback from a range of films including Ami Se O Sakha and Darpa Churna, points out.

Asked about the reality show contestants, Haimanti says, “It has all become too instant at times, They need proper education for years.
Instant fame will never help to sustain.”

Actor Badsha Maitra, also present at the album launch, says though he is hooked to yesteryear film and basic album musics he also likes the tracks of many present day bands and contemporary singers. "I in fact am hooked to music across different genres."