The Eken title track: A thrilling and fun blues-inspired number

The title track of Joydeep Mukherjee’s The Eken, composed by Aamlaann Chakraabarty, brings to mind classic Hollywood noir films. Packed with thrills and fun, the song features lyrics by Godhuli Sharma and vocals by Sidhu.

Starring Anirban Chakrabarti as the titular detective as well as Somak Ghosh, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay and Paayel Sarkar, The Eken has been inspired by the popular Hoichoi series Eken Babu.

The title track is visually interesting as well. Along with glimpses of Eken Babu’s adventure in Darjeeling, the fast-paced song features a breakdancer, Kuchipudi and Kathakali artistes and a clown, who dramatically enact the lyrics in the streets of Kolkata.

The blues-inspired composition and the cosmopolitan feel of the visuals lend a universal appeal to the song, which is dedicated to the food-loving Bengali detective.

“I have worked on the series Eken Babu, and hence, I had certain ideas regarding the music requirement of the film. I did the background score of the fourth season of the series, directed by Joydeep Da,” said Chakraabarty.

According to the music director, knowing Anirban Chakrabarti personally helped him come up with the tune. “I got approached to make the title track when I was travelling in a train. I somehow managed to come up with a tune without instruments and sent the composition to Godhuli,” recalled the composer.

“Eventually the composition got locked and we approached Sidhu Da as I thought he would do justice to the song more than anyone else. Sidhu Da too agreed instantly.”

According to Sidhu, singers and musicians don’t get to be inspired by serene locations, like the cast and crew members. “We have to work inside a cold enclosed space called the studio and hence, we need good content for inspiration. Thanks to Aamlaann and Godhuli, there was no lack of source of inspiration,” said the vocalist.

Sidhu said that he has known the music director for almost 20 years. “He was first my student and then I judged him when he formed a band. I have worked on non-film songs with him, which became popular. However, I was eagerly waiting to sing a film song with Aamlann for a long time, which finally happened with The Eken title track” he added.

When Sidhu first heard the song, he knew it was a bit outside his comfort zone. “It is blues-inspired, low scale and I knew my baritone tonal quality would come to use,” the singer said.

According to Sharma, while Chakraabarty gave her the brief of the song, he used two contradictory keywords, “serious” and “fun”. “I feel Eken represents all of us. Perhaps, we aspire to become Feluda or Byomkesh, but in reality, we all are Eken, who represents the simplicity of the Bengali community. I am glad that the song has been loved by all," she said.

The Eken will release in theatres on 14 April. 

Check out the song below and let us know if you are keen to watch the film.