Tapas Bapi Das
Tapas (Bapi) Das recognized by many as Bapi or Bapida of Moheen er Ghoraguli is a prominent Bengali singer, lyricist, composer, and music connoisseur. He was one of the founding members and an integral part of the iconic Bengali Band, Moheen er Ghoraguli (meaning "Moheen's Horses") established in 1975 in Kolkata. They were a forward-thinking band who thought ahead of their time. Faced with the political turmoil of that time in Bengal and inspired by a varied genre of music from all around the world, they gained popularity through songs like Prithibita naki choto hote hote, Hay bhalobashi, Kolkata Kolkata, and many more.
Today, to continue the legacy of Moheen’s cult following, Bapi, being the mastermind and mentor behind the next generation, has formed a Bengali band called ‘Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura’. Being one of a kind, Bapi can rightfully be called ‘Moheener Adi Ghora’ (“Moheen’s earliest horse”). Bapi is the bridge between the Moheener Ghoraguli and Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura.
With a dream to continue what was started forty-five years ago, Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura has set out on an iconic journey of their own. Equipped with some of the young, talented, and vibrant minds of the new-age generation, Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura has begun to weave a reality that is here to stay.
Infused with hope for a better tomorrow, Bapi, together with his Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura, continues to instill a never-give-up attitude through his multi-dimensional and yet simple contemporary music that will touch your soul.
EARLY LIFE
Born on 22nd September 1958 Bapi’s musical journey started from an early age. His passion for music made him forever allied with this form of art. His taste in melody is wide and diverse. He considers his mother, Jyotsna Das, as his first Guru or teacher.
A self-taught guitarist, Bapi learnt to dabble with the string instrument in various friendly gatherings during his college life. Breaking all the barriers of contemporary music, Bapi’s songs reflect the true meaning of ‘a way of life’.
CAREER
The musical landscape of Bapi is broad. With the rise and fall in his career, Bapi has had a number of experiences under his wings, from working in a ration shop to a job in the press. However, it was music that always drove him to bring out the best in him.
In 1975, along with Gautam Chattopadhyay, Ranjon Ghosal, Pradip Chatterjee, Abraham Mazumdar, Bishwanath (Bishu) Chattopadhyay and Tapesh Bandhopadhyay, Bapi became a part of the legendary band “Moheener Ghoraguli”. Together they dared to take up the challenge to write and sing about social causes when Bengali commercial film songs were prevalent. This proved that the wind of music had changed its direction. Bapi’s chosen path of music is that of rebellion, struggle, gut, and perseverance.
Nurturing the desire to pursue the ethos of the Moheener Ghoraguli, Bapi has founded “Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura”. Carved out from Bapi’s long list of musical experiences, this new generation is getting shaped and reshaped frequently to carry on with the baton in the future. Their effortless music is bubbling and growing. Anchoring themselves as a part of arguably Bengal’s and India’s first-ever band, Moheen Ekhon O Bondhura is churning musical history.
SONGS
Bapi’s profound lyrics have created magic for decades and continue to do the same. Some of his unparalleled contributions can be found in songs like Keno bhenge jaye amader sanko bishshasher, Kalo meye, Facebook, Onek bhabo ami, Bonpakhi and Futbe Polash.
AWARDS
With time, Bapi’s contribution to the field of music was recognized. Although his musical excellence cannot be limited to awards and accolades, some are definitely worth mentioning:
| Year | Awarded By |
| 2013 | Naihati Utsav Welfare Samiti |
| 2018 | Bhorai Welfare Society - Basanta Utsav |
| 2018 | Bangla Sangeet Mela |
| 2018 | GenNext Cultural & Social Welfare Group - Hall of Fame |
| 2019 | Laketown Aiykatan |
| 2019 | Aiykatan Bioscope National Short Film Festival |
| 2019 | Bharat-Bangladesh Maitreyi Sanman by Srijan Barta |
| - | In the Service of People 25 years (1978-2002) by BRWS |
| - | Life time Achievement by Unplugged Rocker’s Roof V. 2 |
References
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