As Bob Dylan turned 85, Bengal joined the global chorus celebrating the legendary musician, with tributes stretching from the hills of Shillong, where a 55-year-old tradition continues to thrive, to Kolkata's evolving live music scene. In Shillong, Lou Majaw's iconic tribute spilled from intimate late-night sessions into the open streets of Police Bazaar, drawing tourists, locals, and musicians into a shared, ticket-free celebration. Meanwhile, Kolkata transformed the occasion into a month-long musical movement, culminating in a day that blended nostalgia with experimentation, drawing packed, discerning audiences eager to revisit and reinterpret Dylan's timeless catalogue.
Lou Majaw's Reflection
"Every year feels special because it comes from deep respect for Dylan. This time, we've made it more immersive, spreading it across days and spaces, so people can experience not just his music, but what it means to us," said Lou Majaw.
Reinterpreting a Legend
For many Kolkata musicians, Dylan remains both a foundation and a challenge. "We've been covering Dylan since our inception; his music is etched into us," said Dr. Rajshekhar Banerjee of the band 1972, adding that while some songs are reinterpreted, others are kept close to the original, staying true to their retro sound. The complexity of his work is part of the appeal. "Songs like 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' are lyrically dense, almost like rap," the band noted.
For Punch's Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya, this year marked a first: "We'd never played Dylan before as a band, so we used this opportunity to explore and rearrange his songs," he said, highlighting their rock-driven take on 'Blowin' in the Wind.' Across performances, one thing stood out: relevance. "Songs like 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' will always resonate," he added, pointing to the enduring weight of Dylan's poetry.
"Dylan has shaped how I think, write, and even approach life, so when I curate these tributes, I'm mindful of keeping that spirit intact. It's not just about playing his popular songs, but about choosing tracks that reflect his range, allowing each artist to interpret them honestly while still respecting the essence of his work," said Jaimin Rajani, who curated the Broadway tribute.
A Growing Culture, a Listening Audience
"Dylan is someone you live with; his songs change meaning as you grow," said Shantanu Datta from Folklore, grounding the night in something more personal than performance. Leslie D'gama added, "Tribute-led gigs like these are finding their audience. We're seeing more people show up for the music, not just the moment." For Rajarshi Sinha, guitarist, the crowd sharpens the stakes: "When the audience already knows the songs, you can't hide. You feel the pressure, but it also makes every note hit harder."
That exchange between stage and room stayed constant. "We saw some of the strongest reactions during 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door,'" said Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya, while venue owner Raghav Prem Sehgal noted, "The audience base is widening. You've got longtime listeners and first-timers discovering Dylan in the same room."
"I didn't expect to know the words, but by the second chorus I was singing along," said audience member Riddhima Pal, laughing, while another, Shubham Neogi, put it simply: "It didn't feel like a tribute; it felt like the songs belonged here."
"We started as a duo three years ago and built this into something bigger. People don't just recognise Dylan now; they enjoy him. Kolkata is opening up to tribute gigs, but honestly, there's still so much more to explore," said Leslie D'gama from Folklore band.
The Songs That Defined the Night
- Everything Is Broken
- Abandoned Love
- Man in the Long Black Coat
- Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
- One More Night
- Not Dark Yet
- This Wheel's on Fire
- Things Have Changed
- Knockin' on Heaven's Door
- Blowin' in the Wind
- Tangled Up in Blue
- All Along the Watchtower
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- The Times They Are A-Changin'
- Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We've turned this into a month-long, immersive tribute, sharing Dylan trivia, hosting giveaways, and letting artists reinterpret him freely. It's not one format; it's discovery, rediscovery, and a growing audience finding its way into this music," said Raghav Prem Sehgal, owner of Broadway.
"'Blowin' in the Wind' stood out; we pushed it into a higher key with a heavier, guitar-driven sound. It was our first time playing Dylan together, so we focused on reinterpreting while keeping the emotion intact," said Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya from Punch band.
