Late Nanigopal Bandyopadhyay
“At that time, the college was situated near the Ballygunge Balika Vidyalaya (now Muralidhar Balika Vidyalaya). My father wanted me to learn sitar. So, I began learning sitar at the college. My mother could sing, and I received some informal training in vocal music at home. Nanibabu knew that.
One day,” she continued, “we came to know that Ustad Faiyaz Khan would come to the college for a visit. Nanibabu came to our class and told me that said I would have to sing a Rabindrasangeet to greet him. I was very nervous, as I was hadn’t been learning vocal music. But I soon learnt one Rabindrasangeet — ‘Mor pothikere bujhi enecho ebaar’. On the day of his visit, I somehow sang the song. The next day, the Ustad wanted to meet the college students. He came to our class. Recognizing me, he said: ‘Beti, you sang beautifully. Your voice was quite enchanting.’ Nanibabu sought my father’s permission the next day and shifted me from sitar to vocal class.
Sumitra Sen. Times of India, August 27, 2016