'Munna Bhai' singer steps into domain of 'Rabindra Sangeet'

"As I mouth the lines of 'diner sheshe....' a strange feeling overwhelms me, different from the film numbers," the "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", "Mission Kashmir" and "Baazigar" singer told reporters at the launch of his first Rabindra Sangeet album 'Ami Chini go Chini...' (named after another popular Tagore song).

"Though I can't speak Bangla. I follow the 'bhab', the deep philosophy and the spirituality redolent in the lyrics and the sur of Rabindrasangeet," said Rathod, who got his first big break in Yash Chopra's "Chandni" in 1989.

"I had grown up listening to Tagore songs like 'Jodi Tor Dak Sune Keu Na Ase', so I am not unfamiliar with the Bard's songs. Can anyone? But lending my voice to his popular songs for recording will mark a new innings in my singing career. I will hope to record some other Rabindrasangeet in future if the Bengal audience accepts me, my humble effort," he said crediting music composer Diptanil Chowdhury for guiding him.

"Despite belonging to another genre of music, Rathod has executed the songs with correct pronunciation and sur," Diptanil said.

The album, brought out by Brand Value Communications Ltd in association with Bengali music channel Dhoom Music, is a medley of eight well-known Tagore numbers.