KALANKINI RADHA

Bengal has had a rich tradition of music steeped into strains of folk. Much like Baul music, these songs some of which are written as long ago as the 18th century have strains of wonderful local sights that are infused into mythology that is spread across India. Abhijit "Pota" Barman lead singer of Bengali band Cactus, brings the haunting rendition of a delightful story of Krishna and Radha, set beneath the beautiful 'Kaodom Gaach' ( Kodom tree) very reminiscent of Bengal.

It is interesting to note that Kadamb is also the tree in Vrindavan under which Krishna sits on to take the clothes and in that perhaps he is woman incarnate. As Narada says he is only man, all the rest of us are women !

The lyrics of the song  goes-


Mai tui jole na jaiyo 
o ki o he kolonkini radha 
kodom gache boisha ache kanu haramzada

O ki o jole na jao ghate na jao 
bhate na jao laaje radha 
maye bape naam rakhiche 
kolonkini radha

o ki o na jaiyo na jaiyo radha 
kodom tola diya 
kanaiye patiche fande 
radhe ko lagiya

koloshi te pani nai 
jamuna bahu dur 
hatite na pare radha 
paye te nupur

o ki o kohe dijo kobi rotno 
radhe bhagyoboti 
jonome jonome hok 
krishno te bhokoti

( Lyrics from the Internet)

This delightful song is based on the Ras Leela of Radha Krishna, wherein Krishna is lovingly referred to as 'Haramzada', or the mischievous one. Bordering on Brojoboli bhasha, which plays with a softness on the playfulness of the relationship. Radha is asked by the singer not to go to the water or to the land near the Kodom Gach( Kodom tree) because krishna has laid a trap for her there and she will be caught in that if she doesn't heed the advice. 

The song is wonderfully localized to suit Bengali locale of Kodom Gach which finds mention in much of Bengali literature or music. It not only brings back strains of Bengali folk music but in small and simple lines shows the relationship of Radha and Krishna and krishna in his omnipresent avtar all around us. 'Kolonkini Radha', is a reference to the supposed illicit relationship of Radha and Krishna. The word Kolonkini is derived from the more popular Hindi word Kalank meaning a shame that is associated with such a relationship.

But then one wonders, what is the power that is Krishna without the delight that is Radha, more importantly without the delight derived from her, what will such power achieve? Radhe Radhe!