Dreaming while listening to radio songs, now an artist for Akashvani’s ‘Yuvavani’ – The success story of Abhinandan from Jamalpur, a singer of the soil’s melodies.
Staff Reporter | East Bardhaman, Jamalpur | July 8, 2026: It began with dreams sparked by folk songs drifting from the radio during childhood. Hard work turned that dream into reality. Today, that very boy is a regular folk music artist for Akashvani’s ‘Yuvavani’ (Youth Voice) program. Abhinandan Bandyopadhyay, hailing from the remote village of Nandanpur in the Jamalpur block of East Bardhaman, has carved a niche for himself through his love for the music of the soil.
- From Radio to Akashvani – A Journey of Fulfilling Dreams:
Baul and Fakiri songs are the soul of Bengal’s folk culture; messages of humanity and love lie at their core. Abhinandan felt a deep connection to these earthy melodies from a young age.
Listening to Akashvani’s folk music programs on the radio ignited a desire in him: “One day, I too will sing for Akashvani.” That dream has now come true. He is currently a regular folk music artist for Akashvani’s traditional ‘Yuvavani’ division.
- Father as the First Mentor; Excellence in Academics Too:
Abhinandan’s first mentor was his father, Bijan Bandyopadhyay. A professional music teacher himself, his father holds a Master’s degree in music and once trained in Baul music at the akhra (traditional training center) of the renowned folk artist Sadhan Bairagya.
Alongside his school studies, Abhinandan diligently practiced folk music under his father’s guidance. He never neglected his academics either; this year, he secured the highest marks in his school in the Higher Secondary examinations from Amarpur Bimala Krishi High School in Jamalpur.
Priyabrata Mandal, the Teacher-in-Charge of the school, said, “Abhinandan is the pride of our school. Alongside his studies, he has also mastered the art of music.” Currently, he is pursuing higher education with Honours in Physics at Serampore College in Hooghly.
- Nature, Family, and Ideals:—
He lives with his father Bijan-babu, mother Tumpa Devi, and elder sister Debarati in Nandanpur—a lush green village nestled in the Damodar River basin.
Abhinandan says, “Folk music shares a deep bond with the verdant village, its people, and nature. It was the very atmosphere of our village that fostered my love for folk songs during my childhood.” In the realm of folk music, he looks up to Lalon Fakir and Sadhan Bairagya as his idols. His mother’s encouragement has also been a tremendous source of strength throughout this journey.
His father, Bijan-babu, proud of his son’s success, remarks, “Seeing his deep connection to the soil, I poured everything I knew about music into shaping him. Balancing his studies with his musical pursuits, he has now become an artist for Akashvani; as a father, that fills me with immense pride.”
- Inspiration from School:—
His school, too, salutes Abhinandan’s achievement. The Teacher-in-Charge mentions that whenever Abhinandan’s songs are broadcast on Akashvani, they are played over the school’s loudspeakers to inspire the current students.
Having overcome the hardships of poverty and the challenges of life in a remote village—while keeping the scent of the soil and the rhythm of nature close to his heart—Abhinandan from Jamalpur has emerged as a bright prospect for the future of Bengal’s folk music.
