Kabir Suman's recorded albums

Since 1992, Kabir Suman recorded a number of studio albums and soundtracks. Most of those were his self created songs sung by himself. However, his self created songs were sung by many other artists also. Beside this, he has recorded some songs which were created by Rabindra nath Tagore & composed by Himanshu Dutta.

Recording career—1992 to 1999

Kabir Suman, recorded a number of albums between 1992 and 1999 under the name Suman Chattopaddhyay or Suman Chatterjee.

Basic song albums with his own created own sung songs

In April 1992, Suman published his first album ‘Tomake Chai’, which had 12 songs. All songs were sung, written and composed by him. Except 3 songs, all songs were accompanied by either electronic keyboard, or acoustic guitar, or both (mixed by a four track tape recorder and hardware sequencer) by him alone, those 3 songs were accompanied by tabla and percussion by other artists. This continued to next album ‘Bosey Anko’, published in March 1992 along with 12 songs again. Unlike previous album, which was mostly accompanied by electronic keyboard and multi track mixed sound electronically, ‘Bosey Anko’ was recorded directly without any complex mixing except 1 song, which was mixed with both guitar and keyboard (and also with tabla and percussion). Most songs were recorded with a simple acoustic guitar, only 2 songs with electronic keyboard, and 4 songs were accompanied by sarod, tabla and percussion by other artists. This 2nd album was also a big hit, and popularized Suman so much, that he was obliged to record his 3rd album on the same year.

From his 3rd album ‘Ichchhe Holo’, he started recording his basic albums annually as a ‘Puja Album’ like other artists during August of each year, until 1999. ‘Ichchhe Holo’ contained 14 songs, the first of such basic Bengali song album which contains such number of songs. Unlike two previous albums, electronic keyboard was completely unused in this album. Most songs were completely accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, and 4 songs were accompanied by sarod, santoor, tabla and percussion by other artists. This fully acoustic music arrangement drew attention to many music-lovers, and it was such an album, which was completely electric or electronic music instrument less almost after 40 years in Bengali music history. It was also his first album which front cover does not have any picture of himself.

In 1994, Suman recorded his 4th album ‘Gan-ola’, which contained 15 songs. He broke his own record, and also the record of Bengali music history because it was the first of such basic Bengali song album which contains such number of songs. By this album, he returned his electronic music era again, with an updated, state-of-the art electronic keyboard with arranger facility. It was also his first album, where no other musicians played. All 15 songs were accompanied by either electronic keyboard, or acoustic guitar, among these, two songs were recorded with both guitar and harmonica. Some people believe that he was not used keyboard after ‘Bosey Anko’ - because he continued to practice this new keyboard, which was finally recorded in ‘Gan-ola’. It was his second album which front cover does not have any picture of himself. His electronic music supremacy developed further on his next album ‘Ghumo Baundule’. Although the number of song reduced from 15 to 13, but it was another album, which was entirely accompanied by his musical instruments. In this album, all songs were accompanied with electronic keyboard, harmonica, acoustic guitar and electric guitar combination. It was also the first time in Bengali music history. All these mixing were done by both four track tape recorder, and hardware sequencer, which was unique and very hard to do.

1996 saw a big departure of Suman’s music, because, in this year, his 6th album ‘Chaichhi Tomar Bondhuta’ published. It contained again 15 songs like ‘Gan-ola’, but the main exception is that it was the first and only basic album of Suman, where a music arranger , named Amit Bandopadhyay, arranged the instrumental part. Only 3 songs were accompanied by Suman’s acoustic guitar, but other songs were accompanied by session musicians, with santoor, sarod, violin, tabla, dhol, drum pad, electronic keyboard, guitar and bass guitar. Also in first time, some male and female background vocalists used in some songs. Many hardcore Suman fans were criticized and disliked this music, which was not alike with his previous albums.

However, in 1997, Suman returned again to his own instrumental music by his 7th album ‘Jatissor’. It contained 12 songs again after ‘Bosey Anko’, and also like ‘Bosey Anko’ - most songs was recorded with a simple guitar, (this time with an electric guitar), only 2 songs with electronic keyboard, 1 song with keyboard, guitar and drums, another song with piano, guitar and harmonica, and 2 songs were accompanied by sarod, santoor, tabla and drums by other artists. The title song ‘Jatissor’ inspired then young Srijit Mukherjee, and he made a Bengali feature film with the same name in 2013.

In 1998, Suman published his 8th album ‘Nishiddho Istehar’, which was a stark contrast with his 3rd album ‘Ichchhe Holo’. Where ‘Ichchhe Holo’ completely omitted electronic keyboard, ‘Nishiddho Istehar’ was entirely accompanied by electronic keyboard. It was one of the complex electronic music recording in Bengali music industry, were all 14 songs were accompanied by complex-customized electronic sound. After ‘Ghumo Baundule’, it was the first album where no other musicians played. This continued to his 9th album ‘Pagla Sanai’, which was published in 1999. Only 2 songs were accompanied by simple acoustic guitar, and 2 were with sanai and tabla by other artists. All other songs were accompanied by electronic keyboard, and hardware drum programmer. Suman used both instruments very complexly, and created a complex orchestration alone. After this album, his next album was published again in 2001, after a long gap.

Basic song albums with his own created other’s sung songs

Beside himself, some other artists have recorded his songs. It first happened in 1995, when Haimanti Shukla recorded an album ‘Sobujer Pratishodh’, which contained 8 songs. Amit Bandopadhyay arranged the instrumental music with many session musicians. Some female background vocalists used in some songs. It continues in next year 1996 when Suman created an album ‘Chhoto Boro Miley’ with 14 songs. It was his first album mainly for children. Along with Anjan Dutt, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Lopamudra Mitra & Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, some child singers sang most songs either single or as group, or as collaborative with those famous singers. Amit Bandopadhyay was also arranger here, but in 3 songs, Kabir Suman played acoustic guitar and harmonic.

In 1999, there was another children song album ‘Eksathe Banchboi’ with 12 songs. Unlike ‘Chhoto Boro Miley’, here no other famous singers sang. All songs were sung by child singers, although they were not same of those in ‘Chhoto Boro Miley’ (except Payel Kar, who was in both albums). Also in this album, all songs were accompanied with electronic keyboard, and hardware drum programmer by Suman. Suman used both instruments very complexly, and created a complex orchestration alone. He also sang 3 songs collaboratively with those child singers, and he says that it was his best artistic work till now. In this year, another album published named ‘Achena Chhuti’, which contained 14 songs, where Suman sang with Sabina Yasmin. Some songs sung by Suman, some by Sabina, and some as duet. The entire instrumentation was done by Suman. Only two songs were accompanied with guitar and harmonica, rest of the songs was by completely electronic keyboard, and sometimes with harmonica, like ‘Nishiddha Istehar’. It was his first basic song album, where complete lyrics were printed in album cover. It was his last collaborative album as ‘Suman Chatterjee’. Initially it was published only as cassette, but later also as CD. It was his first album which was published from a recording company other than SAREGAMA India Limited, it was published from Raga Music.

Motion Picture Soundtrack

In 1994, Kabir Suman debuted his Soundtrack music career. In this year, he wrote, composed, sung, and even played a cameo role in a Bengali film Mahasangram, which contained 6 songs. Amit Bandopadhyay arranged the instrumental music with many session musicians all songs but one, where Suman played his guitar and harmonica only. Here Suman sang with Indrani Sen. Some songs sung by Suman, some by Indrani, and some as duet. Background score was also done by Suman. Unfortunately the motion picture released after a long 12 years gap, in 2006, and was flop.

In 1997, Suman became music director again in a Bengali film Sedin Chaitramas, which contained 7 songs. Unlike Mahasangram, Suman played all instruments like electronic keyboard, guitar and harmonica and himself was an arranger like his basic albums. It was his first soundtrack worked with own instruments. Beside Suman, other singers were Nachiketa Chakrabarty, Lopamudra Mitra & Swagata Lakshmi Das Gupta. Background score was also done by Suman. It became a hit for both the movie and soundtrack, and Kabir Suman received BFJA award as best music director. It continued to next year when he became music director again in a Bengali film Suryakanya, which contained 6 songs. Unlike two previous films, he was not directed the background score here. Suman played all instruments like electronic keyboard, guitar and harmonica and himself was an arranger like his basic albums. Beside Suman, other singers were Shrikanta Acharya, Shriradha Bandopadhyay & Swagata Lakshmi Das Gupta. This movie was a flop.

Songs created by Rabindra Nath Tagore

Kabir Suman started his music career with Rabindra Nath Tagore’s song in 1972, but it was almost unsuccessful. He recorded Tagore’s Song again 1994, after a long gap, this time he was already a popular singer. From 1994 to 1997, he recorded Tagore’s Song each year as albums. These were published as ‘Tumi Sandhyar Meghamala’ in 1994, ‘Pathik Ami` in 1995, ‘Priyar Chhaya` in 1996 and ‘Chirabhakta` in 1997. In first three albums, music was arranged by V Balsara, Amit Bandopadhyay and again V. Balsara respectively. In the album ‘Chirabhakta’, 7 songs were arranged by Amit Bandopadhyay, but rest 5 songs was sung by Suman with only a simple acoustic guitar, which was unique in the history of Tagore’s song recording, and it was also permitted by Vishwa Bharati Music Board.

Songs composed by Himangshu Dutta

1n 1995, Kabir Suman recorded an album which contained 10 songs, that were composed by Surasagar Himangshu Dutta, around 1940. All these songs were written by different lyricists. During its recording, Pete Seeger’s 12 string guitar was played by renowned guitarist Buddhadeb Gangopadhyay.

After 1999, he returned in recording industry again in 2001, and this time as Kabir Suman.

Recording career—2001 to 2012

Basic song albums with his own created songs

After a long gap throughout 2000, Kabir Suman returned to recording carrier again in January 2001, by publishing his 10th album ‘Jabo Awchenay’, which contained 10 songs. It was his first concept album about holiday, leave, vacation. Its theme contained ‘leave’ in many aspects like vacation, death, lost youth, holiday, break etc. After ’Nishiddho Istehar’, this was his second album, which was entirely accompanied by electronic keyboard, except the last song, which was played with an acoustic piano. This was his first album, where there were some lyric reading, without any music and tune. There were such 6 lyrics. Kabir Suman was already changed his name from Suman Chattopadhyay to Kabir Suman, but the recording company still used his old name primarily, and his new name within bracket. The cover art was also a photograph of old days when he had hair, beard and moustache, where during that time, practically there were nothing to him.

In next year Kabir Suman published his 11th album ‘Adab’, which contained 12 songs. This was almost his back to route effort, like ‘Tomake Chai’ and ‘Bose Anko’, which also contained 6 songs on each side. 5 Songs were played with an electric guitar, and 1 song with both electronic keyboard and guitar. Rest of all songs was played with electronic keyboard. This album was remarkable with four more points—1) Here his new name were used primarily, with his old name within bracket (unlike previous album), 2) His then actual photo was used as cover photo, 3) It was his last album recorded in SAREGAMA India Limited. 4) It was his last album which was published only as cassette. His next Bengali full solo album was published in 2005, after a long 3 years gap.

In 2003, He recorded and English song album ‘Reaching Out’ which contained 10 songs. All songs were completely accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar. 2 songs were translation of two former Bengali songs, but rest 8 songs were directly written in English. This was Suman’s first solo album which was published from a recording label other than SAREGAMA India Limited. It was published from Cosmic Harmony, which continued to publish his next few albums. It was his first album, which was marketed as his new name Kabir Suman, which is continuing after that.

2004 saw a long-awaiting incident, when Kabir Suman and Anjan Datta recorded an album collaboratively. It was named ‘Onek Din Por’, which contained 10 songs, 5 each were written by each artist. Suman’s songs were accompanied by guitar and harmonica, where Anjan’s songs were accompanied by lead guitar, bass guitar and harmonica by other musicians. Anjan himself played acoustic guitar, and Suman accompanied him by harmonica in a song. This was a milestone in Bengali Music Industry where two renowned singer-songwriters recorded an album jointly. The effort was mainly from Kabir Suman, as his 12th album. It was also his first album which was published as both cassette and CD, and his first album recorded digitally.

Kabir Suman returned to his solo Bengali album in 2005 after a three year long gap. This time he published his 13th album ‘Dekhchhi Toke’. It contained only 8 songs, which was his first album with least contained song. This album was remarkable because, it was his first album where he not only recorded the entire music instrumental parts, but also mixed and finally mastered. It was first Bengali album which contained songs that were written, composed, sung, instruments played, recorded, mixed and mastered by a single person. 4 songs were accompanied by electronic keyboard, and 4 songs by electric guitar. However its recording quality was a bit unclear and hazy.

His next Bengali full solo album ’Nandigram’ was published in 2007, after a 2 years gap. It was his 14th album, and his 2nd concept album, and his first political album. Around this time, the political situation of West Bengal was in unrest regarding land acquisition at Singur and Nandigram. In 14 March 2007, many people were killed by police at Nandigram. At that time, Kabir Suman was a reporter of Tara TV. He went more than one time to those places, and arose high protest by both as reporter and singer-songwriter-musician. This album contained 8 songs, and one lyric. It was his second album which contained lyric reading, without any music and tune. The title song ‘Nandigram` was sung by him without any kind of instrumental, it was also his first time. Rest of all songs was accompanied by only electronic keyboard. All songs’ theme was forcefully land acquisition from then state government, and brutal massacre by them. It was his third album after a long gap since ‘Gan-ola`, published in 1994, which front cover does not has any picture of himself. The royalty of this album went completely to those ordinary persons of Singur and Nandigram, who were continuing protest against forcefully land acquisition. His protest continued to the next year, when he published his 15th album and his 3rd concept album ‘Rijwanur Britto` in 2008. It was his first album which was published in Kolkata Book Fair, and the only album which was published personally, without any help from any recording company. It contained 8 songs, and except one song which was played with guitar, all other songs were played with electronic keyboard. All songs’ theme was mysterious death of young multimedia designer Rizwanur Rahman, which was very controversial, and created some political unrest in West Bengal. It was his first album which was published only in CD. During this period Kabir Suman gaining popularity again in view of his many protest songs, so he obliged to publish another protest song album in the same year. His 16th album ‘Protirodh’, which was also a political album and his 4th concept album., which contained 8 songs. All songs were accompanied by electronic keyboard, with some songs mixed with guitar a bit. Both of these albums published in 2008 does not contained any photo of him on front cover. It is often called a sequel of ‘Nandigram’. Like ‘Nandigram’, all songs’ theme was forcefully land acquisition from then state government, and brutal massacre by them, and the royalty of this album went completely to those ordinary persons of Singur and Nandigram, Both ‘Nandigram’ and ‘Protirodh’ became very popular to the then opposition party of West Bengal All India Trinamool Congress. They played it on various meeting, distributed CD copies in very low price to voters. This album was marked by two aspects—1) It was his last album which was published as both cassette and CD, because from 2009, the cassette manufacturing was completely stopped in India. 2) It was his last album published from Cosmic Harmony. His protest-mindness helped to Trinamool Congress to stand him as an MP in then coming Lok sabha election. He sang many such songs in his election campaign.

After elected as MP, he returned again to music recording in 2010. This time he published his 17th album ‘Chhatradharer Gaan’. and his 5th concept album, and his 4th political album. It contained only 8 songs, and all songs were accompanied by a simple guitar. No other instruments used. It was his first Bengali album, which he recorded entirely with guitar, without any other musicians. This album was remarkable because, it was his first album after he became an MP. The main theme of this album was the forest area at western West Bengal, its people, their political situation, and some reasonless harassment from central government. During that time, Chhatradhar Mahato was arrested and imprisoned, joint paramilitary force was posted in that area, and they started harassing common people of forest area, saying that they are helping Maoists. For this sensitive reason, this album became controversial. Suman’s party All India Trinamool Congress did not liked his view, and repeatedly said to ban this album, and stop saying about supporting Chhatradhar Mahato, but he has not changed his view, so the clash continued with him from other leaders, including AITC supremo , then railway minister Mamata Banerjee. This album was recorded by following an early stereo recording concept, i.e.—vocal on one side, and guitar on another side.

In 2011, Suman published his 18th album ‘Lalmohoner Lash’. It was his 6th and last concept album, and his 5th and last political album. It contained 9 songs, and has a stark contrast with previous album in view of instrumentation. Unlike ‘Chhatradharer Gaan’, which was completely accompanied by guitar, ‘Lalmohaner Lash’ was entirely accompanied by electronic keyboard. This album was recorded and released at that time, when due to his political view not supported by his party, the clash with his party was continuing. It is often called a sequel of ‘Chhatradharer Gan’. Like ‘Chhatradharer Gan’, all songs were in favor of revolution of forest peoples living in western West Bengal, and protest against harassment caused by central paramilitary force, operation Green hunt etc. During that time, Lal Mohan Tudu was arrested applying UAPA, and killed by military paramilitary force. A very sharp ear can listen a humming sound in the end of some songs, it was due to 14 Kilohertz crosstalk signaling. It was caused by some earthing problem. This album also does not contain any photo of him on front cover.

2012 saw the till now last album, which is his 19th album ‘63te’. After some political and concept album since 2007, he returned to a standard album. It is his first standard album after ‘Dekhchhi Toke’, which was published in 2005. It includes 15 songs, which was after long time since 1996, when he published ’Chaichhi Tomar Bondhuta’. Instrumentation was returned again to his old style, 4 or 5 songs were played by guitar, and all other songs were played by electronic keyboard. Due to his home recording like recent albums, some outside noise were unintentionally added with final recording. The humming problem also present in some songs.

Basic song albums with his own created other’s sung songs

In 2002, Indranil Sen recorded an album ‘Tumi Gan Gaile’, which contained 8 songs. Sanjay Das arranged the instrumental music with some session musicians. Kabir Suman said a little speech in the middle of the title song. Complete lyrics were printed in album cover. It was his first collaborative album as ‘Kabir Suman’, and also his first collaborative album which was published as both cassette and CD.

In 2006, another album published named ‘13’, which contained 13 songs, where Suman sang with Sabina Yasmin. Some songs sang by Suman, some by Sabina, and some as duet. Among these, one song was written and composed by Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah. The entire instrumentation was done by Suman. Some songs were accompanied with guitar and harmonica, other songs were by electronic keyboard, and some was mixed with both electronic keyboard and guitar. Complete lyrics were printed in album cover. It was his first collaborative album, which was recorded digitally and instrumentations were mixed by software sequencer like Reason, Samplitude, and Nuendorum. It was his last collaborative album which was published as both cassette and CD. One song was previously published in 1994.

In 2010, Sabina Yasmin recorded an album ‘Suprobhat Bishonnota’, which contained 10 songs. The entire instrumentation was done by Suman. Some songs were accompanied with guitar and harmonica, other songs were by electronic keyboard, and some was mixed with both electronic keyboard and guitar. It was his first and till now the only collaborative album, which was published only as CD. A very sharp ear can listen a humming sound in the end of some songs, it was due to 14 Kilohertz crosstalk signaling. In some songs, back ground noise was also born, and to depress it, over-noise-reduction happened in some tracks.

Motion Picture Soundtrack

In 2009, Kabir Suman returned again to Bengali film industry as a music director after a long gap. In this year, he wrote, composed, sung, and instruments played in a Bengali film Diet, which contained 3 songs. Here Suman played his guitar, electronic keyboard and all instrumental sounds were mixed by him. Two songs were sung by Suman, one by Sabina Yasmin. Background score was also done by Suman. Unfortunately the motion picture became flop, and there was no release its soundtrack album. The movie was released at the time when he was elected as MP.

2014 was the greatest year of Suman as a music director. In this year, he directed music in a Bengali film Jaatishwar, which contained 21 songs. It had the most number of songs in a single film in the history of Bengali film industry. Like his first music-directed film Mahasangram, this movie was also other person who was arranger, this time was Indraadip Dasgupta. In only one song, Kabir Suman played his guitar (with other instruments by others). Beside Kabir Suman, other singers were Rupankar Bagchi, Shrikanta Acharya, Manomay Bhattacharya, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya, Kharaj Mukhopadhyay, Dibyendu Mukhopadhyay, Saptarshi Mukhopadhyay, and Anupam Ray. Sidhu, Saki & Shramana Chakraborty. It was the only Bengali movie so far—which had a Spanish song. Complete lyrics were printed in a booklet, included in this album. There was a way to use all songs as mobile phone caller tune. It became a major hit for both the movie and soundtrack, and Kabir Suman received National Award as best music director. He also got Radio Mirchi Award for best lyricist, best compact disc, and best seller compact disc for this film.

Songs created by Rabindra Nath Tagore

He recorded Tagore’s Song again in 2002, after a long gap. This year, he recorded ‘Kalo Horin Chokh’ which had 10 songs, 2 songs were recorded previously in 1972 and 1994 respectively. It was the first Tagore’s song album, where all songs were accompanied by either guitar & harmonica or electronic keyboard, which was played by solely Kabir Suman. An extended recording of this album as EP cassette ‘Sondhyadiper Shikha’ was published in next year 2003, which was 4 more songs, 1 of them was published in ‘Kalo Horin Chokh’. It was his last Tagore Song album in both cassette and CD format. He recorded his next Tagore Song album ‘Ganer Resh’ in 2016, which was completely without any instruments. It was published only as CD.

Other Recordings

Beside those albums, he recorded some other songs, which were compiled on some albums like ‘Onurodher Asor’, ‘Nagorik Kobiyal’, ‘Pata Jhore Jay’, ‘Ei Prothom’ (a live album with Nachiketa Chakraborty) etc. He also recorded two songs for a Bengali Movie ‘Bhoy’ - which was recorded and released in 1996, and one song for a Bengali Movie ‘Yoddha’ - which was recorded in 1995, but never released. Concord Trio has recorded two Suman’s songs in 1994 and one in 1997 respectively for their albums ‘Konthe Nilem Notun Gan’ and ‘Tomar Safar’. Lopamudra Mitra has recorded two Suman’s songs in 1995 and one in 1996 respectively for her albums ‘Notun Ganer Nouko Bawa’ and ‘Bhetor Ghore Brishti’. From 1997 to 2003 (except 2002), Sandhya Mukhopadhyay has recorded two Suman’s songs almost each year, those were published respectively in her albums ’Dhonno Hok’, ’Shesh Dorjata Perole’, ’Aschhe Shotabdite’, ’Rongdhonu Tana Setu’, ’Sada Payra Giyechhe Ure’ & ‘Osshomedher Ghora Chhutechhe’, among them one song in 1999 won the best Bengali album award.

Digital Songs

Since 2011, Kabir Suman started posting his new songs on him website—www.kabirsumanonline.com. During this time his 19th album ‘63te’ was released as compact disc format, which contained some songs that was also published on his website. After that, he started completely releasing his new songs (as mostly audio format, sometimes as video format) through his website. Sometimes he releases some songs also through www.soundcloud.com. All his internet-only songs are only playable, but not downloadable. It doesn't cost any money for listening those songs. It is first such example for a Bengali musician to release songs only in internet. Beside his self-created songs, he also released some Indian Classical songs and some old songs, created by late Dilip Kumar Roy and others.