In a heartfelt tribute to one of Bengal's most revered literary voices, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, noted composer and instrumentalist Debojyoti Mishra has created a new raga titled Raga Bibhuti, alongside composing an original bandish set to a seven-beat taal.
Bibhutibhushan's iconic novel Pather Panchali has long stood as a lyrical portrayal of rural Bengal – its ponds, paddy fields, tree-lined paths, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. Through characters like Apu and Durga, the novel captured a world rooted in simplicity and emotional depth – an essence Mishra attempts to echo through his latest musical creation.
A raga rooted in narrative
Raga Bibhuti is a composite structure that blends elements of Raga Durga in its Aroh (ascending scale) and Raga Bhairavi in its Aboroh (descending scale). The interplay of these two ragas lends the composition a distinctly earthy tonality, reflecting the folk textures and emotional cadence of rural Bengal that Bibhutibhushan so vividly documented. Mishra's bandish, composed within this framework, further extends the homage – transforming literary nostalgia into a living, performative soundscape.
Apur Bajna: Music meets memory
The raga was presented as part of a special performance titled Apur Bajna (Apu's music), held on April 19, 2026, at KCC Amphitheatre. The evening paid tribute not only to Bibhutibhushan's literary legacy but also to its cinematic afterlife through the films of Satyajit Ray – Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and Apur Sansar – collectively known as the Apu Trilogy. The films' unforgettable scores, composed by Ravi Shankar, served as a central thread in the evening's musical narrative. Through instrumental and vocal interpretations, the performance revisited iconic moments – from the rain-soaked innocence of Apu and Durga to the emotional arcs of Harihar and Sarbajaya.
A collective tribute
The event brought together a diverse group of musicians, including instrumentalists Maishili (sarod), Soumyajyoti (flute), Debayan (esraj and tar shehnai), Subhash (sitar), and Sudipto (vibraphone). Vocalists Sonakshi and Aritra added lyrical depth to the evening. A special highlight was a flute rendition of a Pather Panchali melody by Hamptu, grandson of Alokanath Dey, evoking a lineage of musical tradition tied to the film's legacy. The evening also paid homage to figures like Dakshina Mohan Tagore and Alokanath Dey, alongside Ravi Shankar, recognising their role in taking Bengal's folk-rooted sounds to a global audience.
A personal offering
Speaking at the event, Debojyoti Mishra said, “I am deeply gratified to have composed a raga in memory of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay – one of the most distinguished literary figures of Bengal and India. I have named it Raga Bibhuti. During this special event, a bandish that I personally created within this very raga was performed.” Blending literature, cinema, and classical music, Apur Bajna emerged as more than a tribute – it became a bridge between mediums, reaffirming how Bibhutibhushan's world continues to inspire new artistic expressions across generations.
