SAMBALPUR: Even as the remix version of popular Sambalpuri folk song ‘Rangabati, Rangabati…..’ remained the top trending video in the social network site despite the infringement ruckus, there has been mixed response to the song. While old-timers disapproved of the remix, the young generation felt that it is a step forward for the Sambalpuri folk song and appreciated the efforts of Sona Mohapatra and her music composer husband Ram Sampath.
Renowned singer of yesteryears, Rina Dash, said Rangabati song was an identity for the people of Western Odisha. Any kind of change to its tune is intolerable. It would have been better had Sona taken the singers, lyricist and music composer into confidence and got it duly approved by them, she added.
Music composer and singer Naba Mahattam echoed Rina’s sentiment and said the move has insulted Sambalpuri folk culture and language.
Singer Jitendra Haripal, who sang the original song along with Krishna Patel, justified the protest across the region over MTV version. He said lyrics, pronunciation and music are soul of folk songs and culture. But the remixed version has completely diluted it and this hurts the sentiment of the people of the region.
Music buff and enthusiast Mayank Bhusan said that he failed to understand why so much of hue and cry was made over the song. He said remix and fusion music have been the order of the day and the telecast on MTV will lead listeners to look for the original number which will help enhance the popularity of the song.
Contrary to the views of his mother, Rina’s younger son Aman Mohapatra said he enjoyed the remix version and downloaded it on his mobile. He said when Rajasthani folk songs can be remixed, why the Rangabati fusion is opposed.
Likewise Kritika Satpathy, a Plus Three student, said MTV has made the song more popular among the young generation who had forgotten or never heard it. She said on Monday, many of her friends who had never heard original version, downloaded the remix on their mobile phones and hoped that it would increase the fan following outside the State.
More than pronunciation, it is the soul of the song which touches a listener, said technocrat Ankit Panda.