Kalpana Patowary's 'Gangasnan' – A fusion of tradition and innovation

Renowned Indian folk singer and playback artist, Kalpana Patowary, continues her pioneering journey in preserving India's rich musical a...

Renowned Indian folk singer and playback artist, Kalpana Patowary, continues her pioneering journey in preserving India's rich musical and cultural heritage with her latest project, 'Gangasnan'. The track is a fusion of Bhojpuri folk traditions, inspired by the legendary Bhikhari Thakur, often called the Shakespeare of Bhojpuri Literature, and contemporary jazz influences, created in collaboration with Indian jazz pianist Louiz Banks.

'Gangasnan', which will be released at the Mahakumbh 2025, is a tribute to the sacred Ganges River, revered in Hinduism for its purifying and healing powers. The song explores the ritual of Ganga Snan- spiritual cleansing performed in the Ganges to achieve salvation, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Patowary connects the ancient beliefs of the river's transformative power through this track with modern musical expressions.

The song begins with a jazz-blues piano intro, followed by Patowary’s powerful vocals. The arrangement features synth fillers- a signature style of Louiz Banks—and a dynamic drum solo by Gino Banks, alongside sarangi by Dilshad Khan. The composition transitions into an anthemic second section, featuring rock guitar by Kush Upadhyay, French horns, and a choir. The song culminates in an up-tempo finale, with Louis Banks’ piano improvisation complementing Patowary’s vocals, backed by Sheldon D’Silva’s bass.

The musical journey, shot in the cultural hubs of Kashi and Prayagraj, is directed by Samujjal Kashyap, a National Award-winning filmmaker. The project also features notable artists such as Santi from Spain and Surush Sacha from Denmark, as well as the late Ramagya Ram, a legendary 115-year-old folk artist from Bihar.

Written by Arunav Deka, composed by Bhikhari Thakur and Louis Banks, and featuring a global collaboration of artists, 'Gangasnan' is an innovative tribute to India's folk music and spiritual traditions, merging the old and new to create a timeless musical experience.

'Gangasnan' is a groundbreaking effort to preserve the cultural legacy of Bhikhari Thakur, the iconic figure of Bhojpuri literature, and is set to bring global attention to the evolving soundscape of Indian folk music.