Harry Belafonte’s songs are part of the soundtrack of Indian culture. That seems like an overstatement, but consider the evidence. The most famous, ‘Jamaica Farewell’, is a staple wherever there is live music and an audience of greyhairs. Especially at those dodgy Sunday buffets — and I’ve eaten enough of them across the country — where the singer will quickly assess the dining crowd and launch into it.
Everyone knows the words, the gentle rhythms soothe whatever angst we may be feeling and, almost like a waft of that sea breeze, lull us into a comfort zone. And even if you don’t know the words, you can’t miss the tune; there are at least two Bengali versions set to that tune and even one from Hindi cinema, ‘Do Chamakti Aankhon Mein’ from Detective (don’t worry, I didn’t know either till today).
