Calcutta Youth Choir

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Calcutta Youth Choir (Bengali: ক্যালকাটা ইয়ুথ কয়্যার) was set up in 1958 by Ruma Guha Thakurta with Salil Chowdhury and Satyajit Ray.

Calcutta Youth Choir is known for their traditional folk song, mass song and folk dance. Several years ago, the choir had coined the song, 'Aaj joto juddhabaaj'. The lyrics were by Shibdas Bandopadhyay and the music for the song was composed by V. Balsara. HMV had come out with the soundtrack a couple of years ago. Another famous song by Ruma Guhathakurta's Calcutta Youth Choir is 'Bharatvarsh Suraj Ka Ek Naam' was regularly screened in DD Channel few years before was originally written in Bengali by Shibdas Bandopadhyay and set to tune by Y.S. Moolky (Bharatbarsho Surjer Ek Naam.....).

The songs 'Bistirno Duparee...' and 'Tomar Amar Thikana....Padma Meghna Jamuna' by Calcutta Youth Choir under the direction of Ruma Guhathakurta. HMV brought out a record on the Choir where these songs were included. Few more popular bangla songs by Calcutta Youth Choir are 'Oi Ujjyal Din', 'Jago Anasano Bondi', 'Utho Go Bharat Lokhi', 'Bolo Bolo Sobe', ' Chetonar Soikate', 'Bahu Bachor Dhore', 'Ei Prithibir Theke Oi Aakash Boro', 'Santir Duth Mora Sobai', 'Mele Sobe Bharat Sontan', 'Etihas theke uthe eso tumi Kolkata', 'Amar Protibader Bhasha', 'Haowa Khana Chup Chap', 'Ei Amader Desh','Amader Deshe Hobe Sei Chele Kobe', 'Moder Gorob Moder aasha','Amar Desher Mati..Khati sonar cheo Khati', 'Atio Gourav Bahini momo bani' and many others including Tagore's song 'Nomi Nomi', 'Ami chini go chini (with harmonization)'.

Not only in bangla but in other language also the performance of the choir under the arrangement of Guhathakurta is really admirable. The composition of the songs like 'Sare Jahan Se Accha..', 'Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna..', 'Ea Humara Desh', 'Bharat Jayjan', 'Taruna Aruna Se...', 'Ea Waqt Ki Awazz hai...', 'Tu Zinda Hai', 'Aman ke hum rakhwale' in Hindi and 'Jare Vasi Vasi Ja (Orrisa), 'Gheri Gheri (Bihar)', 'Bahero Bahero (Assam)', 'Tindaroo Tindaroo (Kerala), 'How Cow (Nilgiri) are really excellent. In the movie Satranj Ke Khiladi also the choir performed a song. Traditional folk song and dance from the various parts of the world is also a gift of the choir to the Indian Culture.

In the year, July, 1974 20-member Folk Song and Dance troupe of Calcutta Youth Choir led by Ruma Guha Thakurta, won the first prize in the Copenhagen Youth Festival. The Choir also took part in the 25th Anniversary of Independence Day of India in Delhi Opening song by Calcutta Youth Choir to welcome Nelson Mandela in India in 1990 and to honour Amartya Sen for Nobel in the year 1998 are the Laurel. More than 5000 shows are performed by the choir led by Ruma Guha Thakurta. There are more than 300 members in the choir involved in various activities like singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, management, etc. In spite of her major heart attack since 2004 Ruma Guhathakurta is still regularly performing. This is the only leading choir troupe of Calcutta performing continuously for the last 50 years.

Former chief minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya inaugurated the new building of the choir in South Calcutta on 29th December 2006.

[edit] Albums By Calcutta Youth Choir

1. Pochis Bochor Dhore, Released by HMV in the year 1983 on 25th Anniversary of the Choir
2. Bharatbarsho Surger Ek Naam, A collection of bengali modern songs released by HMV
3. Swadesi Juger Gaan, a collection of Patriotic songs released by HMV
4. Mele Sobe Bharat Santan, A collection of Modern songs released by HMV in 1998
5. Ea Waqt Ki Awaz (Hindi), A collection of Modern songs released by HMV
6. Kadam Kadam Badaye Ja (Hindi), A collection of INA (Azad Hind Fauj) songs by HMV n 100th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Bose in 1996
7. Besh Sotoker Gaan, A collection of bengali mass songs released by Hindustan Records in 1990 celebrating 300th birthday of Calcutta
8. Din Agato Oi, A collection of Modern songs released by Gathani in 1994 for the celebration of Bengali New Year (1400 SATABDI)
9. Deshatobodok Gaan, A collection of Patriotic songs released by Gathani in 1993
10. Prarthna Sangeet, A collection of Devotional songs released by CBS
11. Chetonar Gaan, A collection of songs to welcome Nelson Mandela in India released by CBS in 1990
12. Sikol Bhangar Gaan, A collection of Patriotic songs (before India's Independence) released in 2001
13. All times Great Calcutta Youth Choir, A collection of selected track from HMV
14. Beje Uthlo Ki Somoyer Ghori, A collection of mass songs released by HMV in 1976
15. Amra Tori Beye Jai, A collection of mass songs released by HMV in 1981
16. Amader Salilda, A collection of mass songs by Salil Chowdhury released by ASHA AUDIO in 2007