Echoes of Bengal: Folk Music & Dance (NOITP Chicago Series - First Show)

Event Date: Friday, July 11 · 6 - 7:30pm CDT. Doors at 5:45pm

Ochin Pakhi, "The Unknown Bird," presents ecstatic songs of the Baul and Fakir, musical mystics from West Bengal, India and Bangladesh. Soulful singers Subhajit Sengupta and Swarnali Banerjee are accompanied by irresistible grooves of tabla and other percussion beneath sweeping chords of accordion with cello and showered by earthy plucking of traditional instruments like dotara and khamok. Their arrangements are deeply rooted in Bengali folk tradition, yet have their own Chicago twist, bringing cultures together. The centuries-old lyrics cry out for an end to discrimination, for recognizing our common humanity, and for seeking truth and God within each of us.

Ochin Pakhi, co-founded by Subhajit Sengupta, is a Bengali band that specializes in Baul and Fakir folk songs, traditions from Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The band's mission is to spread Bengali music and culture across the United States, making the rich and meaningful lyrics accessible through translations, discussions, and performances.

Since 2017, they've performed at various venues in Chicago, showcasing Bengal's cultural heritage. The band includes cellist Dr. Molly Greening and violinist Lucia Thomas, both of whom studied this music in India. Thomas is a two-time Fulbright fellow, emphasizing the band's commitment to cultural exchange.

Ochin Pakhi fosters a vibrant music-loving community in Chicago's Rogers Park, holding weekly outdoor rehearsals during summer, inviting locals to participate, creating a shared environment of mutual respect and love.

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