Uttam Kumar, the iconic figure of Bengali cinema, remains a beloved legend, even 39 years after his passing. Widely recognized as the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali films, Kumar was a matinee idol, an actor, director, producer, and a talented singer. His charm and professionalism captivated millions, and his legacy lives on, with his birthday (September 3) being celebrated annually through numerous events that honor his memory.
What many may not know, however, is that Uttam Kumar was also a gifted singer, and he had a deep affection for two particular harmoniums. These harmoniums, made of polished Burma teak, were a favorite of his, and their melodies were brought to life by his skilled fingers. At his ancestral home on Girish Mukherjee Road in Bhowanipore, the harmonium still resides, carefully maintained by Rohit Hayit, a dedicated musical instrument repairman from Gomakpota in Midnapore district. For over 30 years, Hayit has been a part of The Melody, an 83-year-old music shop on Rashbehari Avenue that continues to care for Uttam Kumar’s treasured instruments.
The harmonium, a table model changer made of Burma teak, bears the name ‘Uttam Kumar’ engraved on it. The technicians at The Melody frequently perform maintenance on this instrument, tuning the bellows, reeds, keys, and plywood—tasks they’ve already completed twice this year. Uttam Kumar had two harmoniums in total, one at his ancestral home in Bhowanipore and the other at his flat on Moira Street, where Supriya Devi lived.
Once a bustling hub of musical activity, The Melody shop was a favorite stop for legendary musicians and singers like Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Shyamal Mitra, and Manna Dey. These artists often visited to repair their personal instruments or place orders for customized ones. In the shop’s heyday, up to 14-15 repairmen worked diligently to perfect the tuning and condition of the instruments, including harmoniums, tanpuras, and guitars. But times have changed, and with the decline in demand for traditional instruments, the shop now employs only five repairmen.
Despite this, The Melody remains a place where musical legends felt at home. Manna Dey, for example, never hesitated to enter the shop, even on days when there was a power cut, knowing it was the only place where he could get his harmonium properly repaired. In fact, Dey would sometimes stay and sing while his instrument was worked on, offering the repairmen a private concert.
Other musicians, such as Subinoy Roy, Gouriprasanna Majumdar, Pulak Bandopadhyay, and Pratima Bandopadhyay, also frequented the shop, creating a unique circle of musical camaraderie. But the stories of these golden days stand in stark contrast to the challenges of today’s times. The patience and perseverance required to repair these instruments seem to be in short supply among the younger generation, and the demand for traditional musical instruments continues to wane.
Even as the shop faces these challenges, The Melody continues its legacy of preserving the history and craftsmanship of Bengali music, keeping the spirit of Uttam Kumar’s harmonium—and the music it once produced—alive.
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