Enchanted by the psychedelic tune of Sonar Bangla Circus

After a six-year hiatus following their 2020 release Hyena Express, the avant-garde indie rock ensemble Shonar Bangla Circus has returned with a bold, dual studio album, unveiling 17 meticulously crafted tracks last month.

The twin albums, Mohashoshan 1 and Mohashoshan 2, combine mesmerising melodies with the band’s trademark lyrical depth—songs that unsettle, provoke, and compel listeners to reflect. When three of the four members—Probar Ripon, Shakil Haque, and Saad Chowdhury—visited The Daily Star office, the discussion quickly expanded beyond album specifics into the philosophical and musical foundations of the band: their resistance to conventional Bangladeshi rock traditions, the construction of a distinctive “Bangla funk,” and the creative interplay that defines their sound.

Joining remotely from California, electric guitarist Seth Panduranga Blumberg, affectionately known as Pandu, contributed his insights, adding a unique cross-continental perspective.

Ripon explained the album’s gestation period: “It took nearly three years because of the scale—17 tracks and complex arrangements. Unlike Hyena Express, which relied on the classic rock setup, Mohashoshan incorporates layered instruments—multiple dhols, violins, and other textures. The album demanded patience, exploration, and dedication.”

Pandu emphasised his connection with the musical heritage of Bangladesh: “The grooves, cosmic lyrics, and sheer funk of Bangladeshi music are profound. Working with this band, I feel deeply attuned to both the local roots and the experimental freedom of our sound.”

Active touring, political instability, and live performances—often around 12 shows a month—also influenced the album’s timeline. Yet, as Shakil Haque notes, these challenges enriched the creative process: “Birth, death, suffering—these are universal, and our music reflects life’s ongoing reality. It’s about feeling, not prescribing a message.”

For Saad Chowdhury, whose native language is not Bangla, music serves as the connective tissue binding the group. “Even without fully grasping every lyric, I experience its intensity and resonance. Music transcends language, connecting us in a shared expression,” he observes.

Shonar Bangla Circus intentionally avoids conventional visuals in music videos, citing financial constraints and the desire to preserve the listener’s imagination. The band also maintains a cautious approach to artificial intelligence in creativity, emphasising that human emotion and live performance remain irreplaceable.

Their philosophy is simple yet profound: create music without constraints, embrace discomfort, and allow the work to reflect unvarnished truth. “When you open a newspaper, the news is not always comforting, yet it is reality,” Ripon reflects. “Our music mirrors that honesty—raw, thought-provoking, and alive.”

Album Overview

Through their audacious approach, Shonar Bangla Circus continues to redefine Bangladeshi music, blending local traditions with global sensibilities, and inviting listeners into a universe where funk, philosophy, and psychedelia converge.