Boroloker Biti Lo singer Ratan Kahar receives Padma Award

The Padma awardees’ names have been announced. Ratan Kahar, the folk singer from Birbhum, is getting the Padma Shri this year.

Ratan Kahar is a Bhadu singer. He lives in Siuri, Birbhum. His song was first recorded on the radio in 1972. Many years later, he revealed that he received Rs 77.15 as remuneration. He then sang many types of folk songs including Tusu, Jhumur, and Alkap. He wrote around two hundred and fifty songs. Boroloker Biti Lo is his most famous song.

In 2020, the Bollywood rapper Badsha used the song Boroloker Biti Lo in his video Genda Ful without giving credit to Ratan Kahar. That sparked controversies. Many people vented anger towards Badsha for not taking Ratan Kahar's name. However, Badsha later recognised Ratan Kahar and publicly apologised to him. He said that many people used the song without crediting the singer and hence he did not know the artist. Badsha visited Kahar after the release of the song and gave the musician Rs 5 lakhs as remuneration. Later, Bickram Ghosh also composed a song with the musician.  

Ratan Kahar, in an interview with 24 Ghanta, said at that time, “As far I remember, I sang the song in Prasar Bharati. I later gave the song to Rajkumar Saha of the Anan Group. They sang the song in chorus and it got famous. Swapna Chakraborty wrote the song from my exercise book and recorded it in 1976. But there also, I was not credited as the lyricist and the composer.”

He also regretted, “Many people appropriated my songs. We are poor and helpless people. What can I do if people backstab me? Many people do not honour us.”

However, Ratan Kahar became a household name in 2020 due to that controversy. Now he is getting a Civilian Award from the government. He is being awarded the Padma Shri this year.