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Salil Chowdhury

Rai Bahadur (1961)

A soundtrack where every song is considered a classic — showcasing Salil’s versatility and emotional depth.

Film Information

Language: Bengali

Songs

One of Salil’s richest Bengali soundtracks — each track treasured by admirers and collectors.

Nr Song Singer Variations HndMalTamTelKanBngOth
RB1 Raat Kuheli Chharano Sabita Chowdhury - SS7------
RB2 Jaay Din Emni Jodi Jaay Jaak Na Hemanta Mukherjee - HM4------
RB3 Raat Kuheli Chharano (Version 2) Hemanta Mukherjee - SS7EG3-----
RB4 Ogo Sobi Peyechhi Tobu Sabita Chowdhury - -NP3---SM4-
RB5 Aahaa Ki Roop Sabita Chowdhury & Mrinal Chakraborty - HM2------
RB6 Ke Daake Aamaay Hemanta Mukherjee - PP2------

Notes & Background

Rai Bahadur (1961) features one of Salil Chowdhury’s most admired Bengali soundtracks. Every song in this film is considered a classic and remains cherished by music lovers across generations.

The film includes two versions of “Raat Kuheli Chharano” — one by Sabita Chowdhury and one by Hemanta Mukherjee. The Hemanta version (RB3) also appears in another film (EG3), demonstrating how strongly the melody resonated with audiences.

Song RB4 has a beautiful and much-loved alternative version sung by Sandhya Mukherjee (SM4). Salil changed the rhythm entirely for this rendition, shifting from a 4/4 time signature to a lively 3/4, giving the composition a fresh emotional texture.

The emotional depth of “Jaay Din Emni Jodi Jaay Jaak Na”, sung by Hemanta, is quintessential Salil — blending lyricism, melody, and orchestration into a timeless masterpiece.

Rai Bahadur remains an essential part of Salil’s Bengali repertoire, showcasing his ability to create multiple interpretations of the same melody while keeping each version emotionally unique.