In a mesmerizing blend of nostalgia and serenity, Paushali Sahu, the soulful singer from Kolkata, has paid a dual tribute to the legendary Hemanta Mukherjee with two soul-stirring releases on Saregama.
Her last release of 2023, a haunting reprise of ‘Tum Pukaar Lo,’ originally composed by Hemanta Mukherjee for the 1969 movie Khamoshi, showcases Paushali’s ability to infuse new life into timeless melodies. “We poured our heart into it, adding a few special notes, while keeping the essence untouched,” informs Paushali. Featuring music arranged by Mandeep Kumar, the song’s accompanying video on YouTube, directed by Nilargha Banerjee and styled by Arijit Maity, adds an enchanting visual layer to the tribute.
Kicking off 2024, Paushali’s latest release on Saregama is a captivating rendition of ‘Dheere Dheere Machal’ from the 1966 Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic Anupama. The song, originally composed by Hemanta Mukherjee with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi and sung by Lata Mangeshkar, takes listeners on a journey of innocent anticipation. Paushali remarks, “The beauty of this song is hard to capture in words, and I couldn’t resist singing this as a tribute to Lata didi.”
Paushali hails from a musical lineage and embarked on her musical journey by singing traditional Bengali music, Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul geeti. Despite a detour into the corporate world, she returned to music as a full-time artist while reflecting on life. Paushali’s releases with prominent music labels, transitioning from reprises to originals, have resonated with music lovers globally.
Her forthcoming collaboration is with the versatile and reputed composer Jeet Gannguli. She had recently posted on social media about her experience and learnings while working with the outstanding composer and mentor. It is worth noting that this project will be Paushali’s debut Bangla song, and it will be released by Zee Music Bangla.
Given her passion and singing prowess, the film industry tapping into her gifts by offering movie soundtrack opportunities seems a foreseeable next step.