Abanikanta Das: A Life in Rhythm — The Stalwart Reflects on His Musical Journey

Eminent musician Abantikant Das, fondly called Genu a recognized artiste of AIR, Das is brainchild behind many hit musical albums and has been a professional rhythm player for over three decades. Here is an excerpt   from his interview

Your rhythmic sensibility stands out in every performance. Can you take us back to the early influences that shaped your relationship with rhythm and percussion?

My love for music began at a very early age. The melody, diversity, and intricate patterns of songs from both the Hindi and Odia music industries left a deep and lasting impression on me. A major turning point in my musical journey came with the influence of Mr. N. Kumar—fondly known as Nari Bhai, the celebrated comedian of the Odia film industry—who introduced the triple congo to Odisha. Witnessing his innovation inspired me profoundly and sparked my decision to become a percussionist.

Motivated by this passion, I made a life-changing choice: I left my government job as an investigator with the Bureau of Statistics to dedicate myself fully to the world of music. It was a leap of faith, driven by love for rhythm and an unwavering commitment to my art.

How do you compare retro Bollywood/Ollywood songs with contemporary melodies?

While many great songs are being created today thanks to the abundance of talented musicians in the industry, the chord progressions and note structures of the retro era possessed a distinctiveness and charm that remains unmatched.

.You have worked with diverse artists and genres. Could you share a moment in your career where a collaboration deeply transformed your musical perspective?

There have been many moments and encounters like these.

• I had the privilege of collaborating with 3 generations of a family for the song Aei AmariGaan (Adina Megha) with Dr. Adyasha Das, Ishani Das and most importantly Jnanpith laureate Dr. Pratibha Ray.
• When the legendary music director, Padma Shri Prafulla Kar, once asked me to demonstrate one of his compositions to the renowned singer Bani Jayaram ji—as she couldn’t recall the tune—I didn’t remember the exact lyrics myself. So, I simply hummed the song, and she instantly caught on and sang it effortlessly.

Name a few eminent vocalists you have worked with on stage.

Looking back, I feel deeply grateful for the journey I’ve had in the Odia music industry—where I’ve had the honour of working with almost all the stalwarts who shaped its golden era. From Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi, Akshay Mohanty, Santanu Mohapatra, Saroj Pattnaik, Md. Sikander Alam, Pranab Pattnaik, Shekhar Ghosh, Tansen Singh, Prafulla Kar, Balakrishna Das, Trupti Das, Dr. Sangita Gosain, Geeta Pattnaik, Swaroopa Chakraborty to Dr. Adyasha Das—each collaboration has been a learning experience and a cherished memory.

In the Hindi film industry too, life gave me the rare opportunity to accompany the legendary music director Anand Ji and perform alongside icons like Roop Kumar Rathod, Anuradha Paudwal, Shabbir Kumar, Babla Mehta, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Bani Jayaram, Sulakshana Pandit and many more. Every moment spent with these legends has left a lasting impression on my musical soul.

Awards and Recognitions

• Sikander Alam Vadyaratna Samman – Honoured for excellence in rhythm instrumentation.
• Felicitation by Raaga and Dr. Pratibha Ray – For significant efforts in reviving classic Odia and Hindi songs.
• Akshay Sangeet Samman – Conferred by Cine Critic Odisha for contributions to music.
• Badya Ratna Samman – Awarded by Soor Tarang in recognition of musical prowess.
• Kalinga Pratibha Samman – Bestowed by Sur Vibration for outstanding talent and dedication.
• Honoured by The Utkal Federation of United Nations Association, Odisha – For exceptional contribution to rhythm instruments on global platforms.
• Special Recognition by Upasana – For exemplary achievement and notable contribution to the music fraternity.
• Recognition by Diganta Foundation – For dedication to the revival and promotion of Odia music.
• Felicitation by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi – Acknowledging contributions to the musical heritage of Odisha.