West Bengal singer Rupankar Bagchi and Bangladeshi singer-songwriter Joy Shahriar have joined hands for a new album, ‘Gaaner Pothe Dekha’, bringing together eight songs from their long-standing musical association.

Released under the banner of Aajob Records, the album features four songs performed by Rupankar and four by Joy Shahriar. The project draws on songs created by the two artistes at different points in their collaboration, giving the album the character of a collection shaped over several years rather than a single recording session.

Joy Shahriar has composed all eight songs on the album. The lyrics have been written by Kabir Bakul, Someshwar Oli, Mahmud Manjur, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Maruf Hasan and Joy Shahriar.

The tracklist includes ‘Nei Je Proyojon’, ‘Kemon Kore’, ‘Aay Phirey’, ‘Sholo Anai Michhe’, ‘Kemon Achho Tumi’, ‘Tumi’, ‘Oshukh’ and ‘Bhalo Achhi’. With the songs divided equally between the two vocalists, the album brings together their individual interpretations while retaining Joy’s musical direction throughout the project.

For Rupankar, the release represents another chapter in a relationship that has developed over nearly a decade. Reflecting on their work together, he described Joy as one of his favourite lyricists and composers in Bangladesh.

“I have been working with Joy for nearly a decade,” Rupankar said. He added that he was pleased to see songs they had worked on at different times finally being brought together in one album. He also expressed hope that listeners would enjoy the collection.

Joy Shahriar, meanwhile, spoke warmly about his association with the West Bengal singer. He described Rupankar as both an artiste and a person who is very close to him, saying that working with him had consistently been an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Joy also highlighted Rupankar’s standing among Bangla-language singers, praising his artistic ability and distinctive talent. For Joy, the new album carries particular personal significance because it brings together a body of work created through a relationship that has continued over many years.

The collaboration also reflects the continuing musical exchange between Bangladesh and West Bengal, where artists from the two sides have long worked across the shared Bengali-language music tradition. While the album brings together performers from different parts of the region, its foundation is a common language and musical culture.

‘Gaaner Pothe Dekha’ therefore serves not only as a collection of eight songs but also as a record of Rupankar and Joy Shahriar’s extended creative partnership. The album gathers their work from different periods into a single release, offering listeners an opportunity to hear the two artistes in a project shaped by their years of musical association.