Rupankar Bagchi
 |
Rupankar Bagchi | |
|---|---|
 Rupankar Bagchi | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 2 December 1972 Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Website | www |
Rupankar Bagchi, also known mononymously Rupankar, is a Bengali singer-songwriter, playback singer and actor from Kolkata, India.
He has sung many famous songs in recent Bengali films like Chalo Let's Go (2008), Baishe Srabon (2011), Aparajita Tumi (2012), Hemlock society (2012), Dutta Vs Dutta (2012), Jaatishwar (2014), Chotushkone (2014) and Monn (2018).[1] He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer of Government of India for the song "E Tumi Kemon Tumi" from Jaatishwar.[2] During the COVID-19 pandemic, he released a song titled Tor Saathe, under Times Music label.
Early life
[edit]Bagchi was born in a Bengali family and at an early age he learned classical vocal from his father Ritendra Nath Bagchi and Rabindra Sangeet from his mother Sumitra Bagchi. He was trained in classical music from Sukumar Mitra and in modern songs from Jatileswar Mukhopadhyay. His first stage performance was at the age of eleven.[1] In 1999, he married Chaitali Lahiri.[3]
Discography
[edit]- Tumi Shunbe Ki? (Debut album)
- Ei jeno shei chokh
- Bondhu dekha hobe
- Anmone Amake Bhabo
- Meghe roddure
- Ami Tomake Chini
- Bhokatta
- Poth Bhola (Rabindra Sangeet)
- Highway
- Ganer jharnatolay (Rabindra Sangeet)
- O chand
- Fire esho Ruby ray
- Tomay gan shonabo (Rabindra Sangeet)
- Neel
- Shopping Mall
- Tui jabi koto dur
- Faltu
- Sada Kalo
- Tagore timeless (Rabindra Sangeet)
- Monihar
- Shokol Kajer Kaji (Nazrul Sangeet)
- Roots(folk)
- Acoustic
- Best of Rupankar
- Best of Rupankar, Vol. 2
Tane[4]
- Anek Durey with Bumpai Chakraborty
- Rupkothar Tumi with Jayanta Roy
- Elo agomonir din with Bumpai Chakraborty and diganta Das
- Kal Bhor Hobey, duet with Sarbajit Ghosh from the music album Monn.
- Priyotama 3 [5]
- Tor Saathe duet with Roma Mitra
- Oi dakho
Famous songs
[edit]- Govire Jao – Baishe Srabon (2011)
- Sharata din Ar Shara Raat – Rupkatha Noy (2011)
- Roopkathara – Aparajita Tumi (2012)
- Gaan Khuje Paai – Chalo Let's Go (2008)
- Chupi Chupi Raat – Chalo Let's Go (2008)
- Amar Mawte – Hemlock society (2012)
- Tobu jodi – Dutta Vs Dutta (2012)
- Jhal Legechey – Ganesh Talkies (2013)
- Shedin Dujoney – Ganesh Talkies (2013)
- E Tumi Kemon Tumi – Jaatishwar (2014)
- Sohosa Ele Ki – Jaatishwar (2014)
- Setai Sotti – Chotushkone (2014)
- Oh Baby – Na Jene Mon (2014)
- Tor Nam Prem – Besh Korechi Prem Korechi (2015)
- Ae boshonte [Z cinema film onne boshonte 2015]
- Kal Bhor Hobey (feat. Sarbajit Ghosh) – Monn (2018)
- Jaago Uma- Uma (2018)
- Tor Saathe - 2020 - Times Music
Awards
[edit]_to_Shri_Rupankar,_at_the_61st_National_Film_Awards_function,_in_New_Delhi_on_May_03,_2014.jpg?lang=en)
- 2014: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "E Tumi Kemon Tumi" from Jaatishwar
Nomination
[edit]- 2010 : Bangla Sangit Purashkar for Best Male Singer – "Tobe Prem Kake Chay" from album Mohonay
- 2010 : Bangla Sangit Purashkar for Best Album – for Mohonay
- 2011: Bangla Sangit Purashkar for Best Male Playback Singer – "Gobheere Jao" from Baishe Srabon
- 2011 : Radio Mirchi Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Gobheere Jao" from Baishe Srabon
- 2011 : Friends FM Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Gobheere Jao" from Baishe Srabon
- 2011 : Zee Bangla Gourab Samman for Best Male Playback Singer – "Gobheere Jao" from Baishe Srabon
- 2019 : The SRL Award for Vocalist of the Decade 2010 – 2019 (Male), given by SRL Motion Pictures Entertainment[1]
Filmography
[edit]- Sin Sister as police detective Agnibesh Chatterjee.
- Biday Byomkesh as DC Krishnendu Malo
- Played a cameo as himself singing in the studio in the song Kal Bhor Hobey from Monn alongside Sarbajit Ghosh. The video also featured Rohan Basu, Sonia Saha & Amrita Chakraborty in various other roles.
- Manikanchana
- The stoneman murders (web series)(hoichoi)
- Abar Kanchanjungha
Controversy
[edit]Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, was a renowned Indian playback singer known for songs in Hindi, Bengali, and several other languages. On 31 May 2022, he was scheduled to perform at Nazrul Mancha, a prominent auditorium in Kolkata, as part of a college fest. The concert was heavily publicized and widely attended.
On the same day, Bagchi posted a video on Facebook expressing concern over the widespread excitement surrounding KK’s performance. In the video, Bagchi questioned why Bengali singers do not receive similar hype and recognition, stating (in Bengali):
“I opened Facebook and saw KK, KK, KK... There are many who sing better than KK in Bengal—Anupam Roy, Iman Chakraborty, Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, even I sing...”
Bagchi’s comments were perceived by many as dismissive of KK’s talent and popularity.
KK’s Death
[edit]Following his performance at Nazrul Mancha on the evening of 31 May 2022, KK returned to his hotel, where he collapsed. He was rushed to the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) and declared dead on arrival. The cause of death was reported to be cardiac arrest, with some sources suggesting that heat and exhaustion from the overcrowded and poorly ventilated venue may have been contributing factors.
Public Reaction and Backlash
[edit]News of KK’s death, combined with the earlier circulation of Bagchi’s video, triggered widespread outrage on social media. Users across India condemned Bagchi’s remarks, accusing him of jealousy, disrespect, and insensitivity. The hashtags #ShameOnRupankar and #RespectKK trended on Twitter.
Bagchi received significant backlash from fans, musicians, and the general public. Some called for a boycott of his music, while others issued personal attacks and threats online. The controversy overshadowed Bagchi’s intent to discuss the visibility of regional artists.
Apology and Clarification
[edit]On 1 June 2022, Rupankar Bagchi issued a public apology via video. He clarified that his comments were not meant to insult KK, and that he was deeply saddened by KK’s sudden death. He reiterated that his intent was to highlight how Bengali singers often do not receive equal recognition on national platforms.
Despite the apology, public sentiment remained largely critical of Bagchi due to the timing of his comments.
Discussion on Regional Artists
[edit]In the aftermath of the controversy, some commentators noted that the incident unintentionally opened up a conversation about the disparity in recognition between regional and national-level artists in India. While Bagchi’s delivery was criticized, the underlying concern regarding the marginalization of non-Hindi singers in mainstream Indian media was acknowledged by several cultural critics and music professionals.
Legacy
[edit]The controversy remains one of the most talked-about incidents in the Indian music scene in 2022. It is often cited as an example of how timing and tone can drastically alter public perception, especially in the age of viral content and social media outrage.
KK's death was widely mourned across India, and he continues to be remembered as one of the most versatile and beloved voices of Indian popular music. [6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Home". rupankar.com.
- ^ "61st National Film Awards Announced" (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "'একা শুয়ে বিছানায় অসুবিধে হয়…'! বউ চৈতালিকে ছাড়া থাকতেই পারেন না রূপঙ্কর". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). 16 February 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Home". allmusic.com.
- ^ "Tollywood music album compromising 6 songs one of which is a solo by Sarbajit Ghosh". Ebela.in.
- ^ "Who is KK? Read what Bengali singer Rupankar Bagchi is getting trolled for".
- ^ "Rupankar Bagchi confesses: KK controversy gave me a reality check, I needed this blow — Exclusive!".
External links
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