A Voice Enriching Contemporary Bengali Literature and Music
Monica Basu, a contemporary Bengali poet and lyricist, has steadily emerged as a distinctive literary and musical voice. Raised in a middle-class Kolkata household, she received her early education in a reputed Bengali-medium school. Her deep connection with music can be traced back to her maternal grandfather, whose family nurtured her artistic instincts from an early age. Guided by this environment, she developed an enduring passion for melody, language, and creative expression.
From a young age, she underwent formal training in Indian Classical Music under the mentorship of her guru, the late Bireshwar Mukherjee, a celebrated vocalist and teacher. She enrolled in the prestigious Allahabad Sangeet Pravakar program and successfully completed four years of training, securing over 80 percent in every practical examination. However, due to being underage, she was unable to appear for the final-year certification. Determined to continue honing her craft, she later trained in Bengali and Hindi contemporary music under renowned composers, the late Abhijit Banerjee and Ashima Mukherjee.
Parallel to her artistic pursuits, she ventured into an unexpected yet defining chapter of her life. After acquiring a duplex property in Shantiniketan—situated in the revered land of Rabindranath Tagore—she encountered a complex legal dispute. Displaying remarkable leadership and resilience, she resolved the matter effectively and subsequently served as the Secretary of the newly established residential complex for six consecutive years. Under her stewardship, the community flourished culturally and socially.
During her tenure, she introduced “Vijaya Sammilani,” a cultural programme that gained extensive popularity and was broadcast on a local television channel multiple times due to viewer demand. She also initiated and successfully organized Durga Puja within the complex, transforming it into a vibrant cultural hub that attracted residents and locals across Shantiniketan.
Amidst these responsibilities, she continued her academic journey, completing her graduation with Bengali Literature and Philosophy—subjects that deepened her appreciation for language and inspired her transition into writing. Motivated by her literary inclination, she began writing and performing her own poems. To share her work with a broader audience, she launched a Facebook page titled Megh Brishtir Rupkatha. The platform quickly gained widespread recognition, attracting readers not only from India but also from Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European countries.
Her creative expression soon extended to audio platforms. She recorded her poems in a professional studio and uploaded them to YouTube, gradually establishing a loyal audience. Within a year of beginning her writing journey, she released her first music album comprising eight songs, all composed by eminent music director Gora Gupta and his son Gaurab Gupta. The album featured vocals by National Award–winning singer Rupankar Bagchi and renowned singer Somchanda Bhattacharya, earning significant acclaim. Alongside the album, she published her first poetry collection, also titled Megh Brishtir Rupkatha.
A few years later, she presented another album featuring four songs composed by Amit Banerjee, son of the late composer Abhijit Banerjee. Once again, the vocals were rendered by Rupankar Bagchi. Released on YouTube, the album received wide appreciation across diverse audiences. Her second poetry collection, Moner Janala, was launched simultaneously at the Kolkata Book Fair, marking another milestone in her literary career.
Her growing body of work earned her recognition as a writer-member of the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) and certification as an official artist on YouTube. Her poems and songs are now available across several global platforms, including Gaana, JioSaavn, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Her journey—as a poet, lyricist, and cultural contributor—continues to enrich contemporary Bengali literature and music. With her distinctive voice and unwavering dedication, she is poised to leave a lasting imprint on the creative landscape in the years ahead.
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