Ay Khuku Ay’s Khuku’ living in memory after 50 years

In 1976, the timeless Bengali song Aye Khuku Aye was recorded, pairing the legendary Hemanta Mukherjee with a fresh new voice. At the time, few could have predicted that this simple yet poignant melody would eventually resonate in households across both West Bengal and Bangladesh. The song later gained renewed recognition when it featured in the Bangladeshi film The Father. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that iconic recording.

Shrabanti Majumdar, one of the song’s leading artists, celebrated her birthday on 3 January. To mark this golden jubilee, journalist Masum Apu connected with her over WhatsApp. Speaking from the small Irish Sea island of the Isle of Man, Shrabanti’s familiar voice rang out: “Hello, this is Shrabanti… calling from Bangladesh? That’s wonderful!”

For generations, her voice has evoked nostalgia. From early audio cassettes and vinyl records to today’s YouTube and Facebook streams, her performances remain cherished. Even mundane product jingles—from Borolin cream to hair oils—were transformed into melodies that felt like an intrinsic part of Bengali life.

Shrabanti recounted the song’s genesis: “Pulak Bandyopadhyay wrote the lyrics, and V. Balsara composed the music. Many think it was primarily Hemanta-da’s song, but that isn’t true. It was for my Puja album. Pulak-da asked me to read the lyrics, and I was moved to tears. I insisted I sing it with Hemanta-da. Later, we went to his house together, and he immediately approved, even though the melody wasn’t fully formed yet.”

Initially, the song did not gain immediate popularity. Shrabanti recalled, “Even two years after release, few people wanted to listen. I felt disheartened but started performing it solo on stage. Gradually, it became the only song people asked for.” Over time, the song crossed borders, featuring in Bangladeshi cinema and inspiring new renditions.

Shrabanti’s musical journey was unconventional. Though trained in classical music under the guidance of Sudhir Bandyopadhyay, she gravitated toward modern Bengali songs and English pop. Her voice broke norms, turning commercial jingles into melodic memories and blending traditional and contemporary styles seamlessly.

Today, she resides in Douglas, Isle of Man, a small island of just 84,000 inhabitants, yet rich in cultural life. Despite decades abroad, her Bengali remains vibrant, and her heart still beats for Kolkata and Dhaka. She fondly recalls collaborations with legends such as Ali Jaker, Asaduzzaman Noor, Fakir Alamgir, and Runa Laila.

The 50-year journey of Aye Khuku Aye reflects not only a song’s enduring charm but also a voice that transcends time, borders, and generations.

Shrabanti’s voice remains a bridge between nostalgia and the present—a reminder of the power of melody to evoke memories and emotions across decades.