Kanakchapa returns to film playback after nearly 9 years with new song ‘Rajkumari’

After a long break, Rumana Morshed Kanakchapa has returned to film playback after nearly nine years. Her new song is titled ‘Rajkumari’ and will be used in a film called ‘Naseeb’. Shihab Ahmed spoke with her.

Kanakchapa once ruled film playback almost single-handedly. From the 1990s onwards, her enchanting voice featured in countless popular films over a long period. But for nearly a decade, the popular singer had been absent from film songs.

Kanakchapa said she does not remember the exact date, but it must have been eight or nine years. She last sang in Chhotku Ahmed’s film ‘Pathorer Mon’. The lyrics of the new song were written by Kabir Bakul and the tune composed by Kishore Das. It is essentially a duet, in which Kumar Bishwajit will sing alongside her from Canada.

It is not that film song offers stopped coming to her during this time. In truth, she herself no longer felt like singing. She said she found no enthusiasm in the drive or energy that work demands.

Kanakchapa spoke of a deep sense of emptiness behind that reluctance. She said many of the composers whose tunes she sang the most are no longer alive. The studios where she used to record have been demolished, and the recordist has died. The beautiful world they once had seems to have vanished. It felt as if that old world was gone and she was left alone.

It was from that feeling of emptiness that playback singing never happened again. Many times she listened to a song and turned it down; sometimes she said no without even listening.

The main reason for her return is lyricist Kabir Bakul. He had asked her to sing many times before. But this time she could not say no. He kept telling her, ‘Do not stay away in resentment any more. As long as you have your voice, keep working.’ Thinking over his words, she finally agreed. Besides, the song itself is beautiful. After listening, she felt it was worth singing.

Describing the moment of recording, Kanakchapa said that when she stood up to record and put the headphones on, the feeling in that moment cannot really be expressed in words. Some feelings simply cannot be explained. She only kept thinking how long it had been since she last recorded. She sings regularly on stage, but studio recording is something entirely different.

Recording time is a special moment for an artiste. She was becoming very emotional but controlled herself. She thought that if she gave in to emotion once, singing the song itself would become difficult. She held herself together even as tears welled up. Then, steadying herself, she sang. Standing before the microphone, she felt she had rediscovered her familiar self in a new way. Many long-held words rose inside her chest like bubbles.

Kanakchapa said there was a time when she worked like an omnivore, singing every kind of experimental song that came her way, even songs outside her own style. In short, she sang every kind of song. That was a particular phase. Now, if she sings, she will sing only after choosing carefully. The song must be good, the lyrics beautiful, and the tune and arrangement good. She has reached the age and the time for that much selectivity. She cannot sing just anything any more.

Those who sing in films now certainly sing well, Kanakchapa believes. She offers them her blessings and good wishes. She always prays that they get the chance to sing many melodious songs, songs that will make them immortal.