Kanha Tose Hryday Na Jorungi – A Timeless Tribute to Binodini Dasi

The first song from Ram Kamal Mukherjee's film “Binodiini - Ekti Natir Upakhyan”, titled “Kanha Tose Hryday Na Jorungi,” was unveiled at Ahindra Mancha. The launch featured a live Kathak performance by actress Rukmini Maitra, bringing the song’s intricate emotions to life on stage.
Set at a pivotal juncture in the film, “Kanha Tose Hryday Na Jorungi” captures the moment Binodini Dasi agrees to the support of Gurumukh Rai, a man instrumental in fulfilling her dream of establishing her theatre. Staying true to the filmmaker’s vision, Binodini Dasi is portrayed not as a victim of circumstances but as a resilient artist who embraced her craft with strength and determination, even amidst emotional challenges.
Written by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, composed by the film’s music directors Sourendro-Soumyojit, and rendered by Shreya Ghoshal, the song is steeped in the rich tradition of Hindustani classical music. Loosely based on Raag Manjh Khamaj, the composition incorporates elements of Kathak, evoking the grandeur of a bygone era. The choreography has been done by Manisha Basu, Souvik Chakraborty and Avyaan Roy.
“We aimed to create a track that blends the elegance of traditional Indian sounds with contemporary grooves. The song’s core emotions — ‘abhimaan’ (pride) and ‘viraha’ (separation) — are beautifully intertwined with the Radha-Krishna metaphor, reflecting Binodini’s struggles for acceptance and validation as an artist”, said composers Sourendro-Soumyojit.

In the film, Kanha Tose Hryday Na Jorungi unfolds as a mujra sequence, meticulously choreographed to resonate with the period’s essence. The lyrics, crafted in Hindustani, transport viewers to a different time, mirroring Binodini’s inner turmoil and artistic aspirations.
“This song is a heartfelt tribute to Bengal’s most celebrated stage artist, Binodini Dasi. It encapsulates her spirit and perseverance, which continue to inspire generations. Rukmini looked ethereal in the song and I am confident that my audience will love her graceful performance impersonating the role of a courtesan”, said Ram Kamal.
The event concluded with thunderous applause, leaving the audience in awe of the intricate detailing and passion infused into Kanha Tose Hryday Na Jorungi.