The Musicians: Devajit Bandyopadhyay (early 60s) & Riddhi Bandyopadhyay (late 40s)
Married: 19 years

For Devajit and Riddhi Bandyopadhyay, marriage is a symphony that always ends in an encore. Devajit was well into his 40s when he had gained worldwide fame for bringing Bangla thiyetarera gaan (Bengali stage music) to the mainstream. Riddhi was a young teacher of history in Belur’s Lalbaba College, Howrah district; her passion for Rabindra sangeet followed closely.

As a junior fellow with the Central Government’s Ministry of Culture and West Bengal State Music Academy, Riddhi was also a rising star. In 1998, on the recommendation of a fellow voice artist, 28 year-old Riddhi sought an audience with Devajit, to learn Bangla thiyetarera gaan. When he agreed to meet her, little did they know that their lives were about to change.

Riddhi was awestruck to meet someone she had looked up to and admired for so long. For his part, Devajit, a quiet man, found someone who could relate to his passion for music and help him start a family. For a man who had waited so many years, it was a momentous turning point. One month later, they were married.

The Bandyopadhyays have since performed together on various occasions. In Devajit’s thiyetarera gaan and Riddhi’s Pancha Kabir Gaan, each maintains their own musical identity while assisting the other whenever required. And together, they have brought up a budding musician: their 18 year-old son Riddhodev.

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

 
She says: He taught me to enjoy my freedom. It would never have been possible for me to live the way I do, with a family and my identity as a singer of Pancha Kabir Gaan intact.

He says: I believe in total freedom. It would never have been possible for me to enjoy a family had she not shouldered all responsibilities of our only son despite her schedule of tours at home and abroad.

ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER

 
She says: For one, I have been able to write and release Pancha Kabir Gaan, an undertaking of my own, though we perform Bangla thiyetarera gaan together.

He says: We respect each other’s philosophy of life. But the truth is, Riddhi eases any situation.

CONVERGENCE & DIVERGENCE

 
She says: Life is like a song, not always a straight journey; there are twists and turns, there is convergence and divergence. This has to be there to keep it interesting, but you must also know how to straighten the curves in life. I am always one step ahead in times of conflict, always ready to find a way to harmony.

He says: I fully agree. And that is the way for two human beings to sail smoothly, no matter how turbulent the sea of life.

FUEL TO THE FIRE

 
She says: By offering space; there’s also the honesty of his thoughts and values of liberty and fidelity. And our music.

He says: She epitomises all kinds of energy, which is very inspiring and infectious. I always enjoy her warmth, both on stage and away from it. That always picks me up and inspires me when I am distraught.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

 
She says: We have learnt to enjoy our lives in any form, no matter how tough it sometimes seems to be. The harmony in our lives, both musical and metaphorical, solves the problems that crop up occasionally.

He says: We take each other into confidence, trust the decisions we make and respect the life we live. So there’s nothing we can’t deal with!

—Partha & Priyanka Mukherjee

Pic courtesy: Devajit Bandyopadhyay
Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
February 2017

 
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The doctors

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The artists

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The social Workers

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The restaurateurs

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