Sen, Rajanikanta (1865-1910) poet, lyricist and singer, was born in the village of Bhangabari in pabna. His father was Guruprasad Sen. Rajanikanta was the author of Pathachintamani, a book of kirtan songs, and Abhay Bihar, a book of lyrical poems. He was tutored by his father in music from early childhood. After obtaining his BA and BL (1891) degrees from Calcutta City College, he began to practice law at Rajshahi.

Rajanikanta Sen was for some time a temporary munsif at Natore and Naogaon. He displayed his poetic power at the early age of 15 by composing songs dedicated to the goddess Kali. He used to sing songs that he had composed himself at the house of akshay kumar maitreya. The monthly Utsaha used to publish his writings. Devotion and patriotism formed the primary themes of his poems and songs, although he also composed love songs and satirical verses. One of his songs composed during the swadeshi movement, Mayer deoya mota kapad mathay tule nere bhai (Revere the coarse cloth spun in your motherland), became very popular. He wrote several books: Vani (1902), Kalyani (1905), Amrta, Abhaya, Anandamayi and Bishram (1910), Sadbhabkusum (1913) and Shesdan (1916). Vani and Kalyani are collections of his songs. He became well known as Kantakabi.

Songs of Rajanikanta modern Bangla songs composed by Rajanikanta; also known as Kantagiti. Though Rajanikanta was influenced by rabindranath tagore, his songs have some unique characteristics. Most of them are inspired by his devotion to God. In addition, his love for his country forms another important theme of his songs. The surge of patriotism at the beginning of the twentieth century inspired Rajanikanta to compose songs like mayer deoya mota kapad, mathay tule nere bhai (Revere the coarse cloth of your motherland). This song became very popular, specially among youth inspired by the nationalistic spirit. Rajanikanta also has a sense of humour and was inspired to compose satiric songs under the influence of dwijendralal roy, another renowned lyricist of Bengal.

The songs of Rajanikanta were influenced by the tunes and themes of Kirtan, baul, Ramprasad, panchali. Mishra Raga (mixed raga) is predominant in Rajanikanta's songs.

Rajanikanta's songs are popular in west bengal and are also included in the curriculum of university music departments. [Abul Hasnat and Khan Md. Sayeed]