Colouring minds with melodies
“What is the colour of the mind?” Celebrated actor Sarah Begum Kabori questioned all the music lovers attending the grand musical soiree held at the Oasis Garden of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on February 9. HSBC Bangladesh hosted the programme titled “Monero Rong-e Rangabo: Smritir Pot-e Jege Thaka Sur-er Bhuban” to go down memory lane of Bangla songs, originally penned, composed and recorded by renowned Bangladeshi lyricists, composers and singers.
Kabori answered the question saying that the colour of the mind is green as it never gets faded despite a person's aging. “Man cannot live without mind. Today, we are here to colour minds with melodies,” said Kabori creating a blissful moment on stage. Eminent music composer and director Azad Rahman, who composed the title song of the programme, together with Selina Azad, who lent her voice to the timeless golden oldies, were present on the occasion. The evergreen emcee Afzal Hossain, also an actor, painter and writer, along with his partner for the evening Mithila Farzana, caused to linger the euphoria of the moment with eulogizing words to revisit the melodic lane.
Noted singer Samina Chowdhury was all set to perform the titular number, but prior to that none could resist the temptation to listen to the song “Monero Rong-e Rangabo” from the original singer. Selina Azad, who took the stage for live performance after 20 years, performed the first verse of the song in a mellifluous way. It was a magical moment on stage, as Kabori seemed to be nostalgic on stage as well.
Moments like this came by turns on the gracious stage where singer-actor Partha Barua mesmerised the music aficionados with performing the great Lucky Akhand compositions “Ei Neel Monihar” and “Tomar Oi Mon Takey”. The ecstasy of the musical moments augmented when renowned singer-musician Naquib Khan joined the popular band Souls in rendering the romantic number “Mon Shudhu Mon ChhuNyechhe”. The audience spontaneously hummed to the chorus. Coincidently, it was the 40th anniversary of the song on the day as Naquib Khan mentioned.
“We are treading towards the melodic lane today where history of timeless songs is simultaneously following us. I am truly grateful to all concerned who support us all the way to return to the roots of Bangla songs,” said music connoisseur Mahbub-ur Rahman, the Deputy CEO and Country Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Bangladesh, in his welcome address.
Paying his rich tribute to the martyrs of Language Movement, Francois de Maricourt, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, recited the famous lines “Amar Bhai-er Roktey Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulitey Pari” in Bangla. “Tonight we have met together with the people, who matter most to us,” he said conveying his candid thanks to all.
The featured performances of songs were themed on Mon (Mind). The literal or allegorical connotations of the word Mon were recurrent at the songs performed at the event though it was started off with the rendition of the patriotic number “Salam Salam Hajar Salam” as to pay homage to the martyrs of Language Movement and Liberation War.
Renowned singer Subir Nandi beautifully performed his own record “Hajar Moner Kachhe Proshno Rekhe” and a popular song “Mono Dilona BoNdhu”, originally recorded by Sachin Dev Burman. Renowned Tagore singer Aditi Mohsin rendered two romantic songs: “Amar Mon Manena” and “Amar Moner Koner Bairey”. Accomplished singer Aloke Kumar Sen melodically performed a Kazi Nazrul Islam song “Uchaton Mon Ghar-e Royna”. Samina Chowdhury's treat to her original record “Amar Buk-er Modhyekhane Mon Jekhaney Hridoy Jekhaney” was awesome.
Noted singer Dilruba Khan sang “Pagol Mon, Mon Rey” while Badsha Bulbul presented “Orey Neel Doriya”. Anupama Mukti beautifully rendered several songs including “Mon-e Boro Asha Chhilo” while Aniruddha Sengupta sang Hemanta Mukherjee records like “Ami Dur Hotey Tomarey Dekhechhi” and Syed Ashikur Rahman presented two songs, including a popular Lalon number “Milon Hobey Koto Din-e”.
Eminent singer Mitali Mukherjee was the last performer of the night. She rendered several of her popular songs like “Ei Dunia Ekhon Tho Aar”, “Jetuku Somoy Tumi” and “Sukh Pakhirey” at the event.
In presence of an august gathering, HSBC has regularly been holding soirees of Bangla music on various themes over the years, to celebrate Bangla music and culture.
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