20th Nat’l Rabindra Sangeet Festival begins

With the slogan "...Durjanerey Hano," the five-day '20th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Utshab' (National Rabindra Sangeet Festival) began at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library on May 5. The annual programme, organised by Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS), marks the 148th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. Over 100 Tagore artistes from and outside Dhaka are participating in the programme. The highlight of the first day's programme were solo and group performances.

The day's programme commenced with a rendition of the National Anthem. This was followed by choral renditions of "Akash bhora shurjo tara" and "Byartho praner aborjona" by the artistes of BRSSS. A brief inaugural ceremony came next. In his welcome speech, Tapan Mahmud, general secretary, BRSSS, introduced a seven-point agenda to create a favourable environment for the practice of Rabindra Sangeet. The list of demands also included the establishment of a Rabindra Academy and mandatory musical programmes on Rabindra and Nazrul anniversaries at all educational institutions.

Chief guest A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddiqui, vice chancellor, Dhaka University, formally inaugurated the programme. Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das, also an advisor to BRSSS, presided over the session.

In the course of the programme, the organisers felicitated noted 'tabla' artiste Md. Shahjahan for his contribution to music. Shahjahan has been involved with several musical institutions and had the rare distinction of performing alongside legendary singers Kanika Bandopadhyay, Hemanta Mukharjee, Manna Dey and many others. He has been involved with music for the last four decades.

After the inaugural, the musical soiree resumed. Aditi Mohsin rendered "Ratri eshey jethaye meshey." Nafisa Rahman and Steve Turjo (from Faridpur) rendered "Aamar praner porey" and "Tomar khola hawaye" respectively.

Rabeya Akhtar and Sima Sarkar's performance of "Ei korechho bhalo," and "Shey din amaye bolechhiley" came up next.

Among others, Tipu Chowdhury, Liton Chandra Baidya, Rita Majumdar, Lili Islam, Ashok Saha, Mahiuzzaman Chowdhury and Shanchita Mitra performed on the first day.

Artistes of Surtirtha and Bishwabina performed group songs at the programme. Their renditions included "Nitya shatye chintan," "Taharai aarti korey" and "Shundor botey tobo."

Yesterday (May 6), an open discussion on different aspects of Rabindra Sangeet from the contemporary point of view was held prior to the musical soiree.

Today, a similar discussion along with a musical soiree will be held at the venue. Tomorrow, on the occasion of Tagore's birth anniversary, a daylong programme will commence early in the morning. A documentary by Satyajit Ray on Tagore will be screened at 11:30am. Members of BRSSS will also celebrate the 86th birth anniversary of Tagore exponent and president of the organisation Kalim Sharafi.