BNS Rahman-bound
Famed Indian music composer and singer AR Rahman set the tone for a night of musical celebration during the 'BCB Celebration Concert', arranged to drum up the upcoming ICC World Twenty20, at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The 47-year-old Chennai-born singer, who was the biggest attraction in the concert which also included local popular bands and singers along with American R&B and hip hop artist Akon, unleashed some of his best gifts to the Indian music, ranging from rock, soft melodies to sufi songs.
The two-time Academy Award and Grammy Award winner appeared on the stage at around 7:30pm -- attired in rock-star outfits -- to rapturous applaud from the audience that included Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The PM, in her speech before the cultural programme, welcomed the cricketers and guests to Bangladesh for the mega event -- the T20 World Cup -- which is set to begin on March 16.
"I welcome all the cricketers, ICC officials and guests to this mega ceremony on the eve of the T20 World Cup,"' the prime minister said.
After that it was time for show-stopper Rahman who started with Fanaa before performing 'Hum Bar Bar' from the movie Lagaan, dedicating the song to the participating teams of the T20 World Cup, and 'wishing the best team wins'.
Then he left the stage for his troupe -- which included celebrated singers like Udit Narayan and Neeti Muhan -- before reappearing at the other side of the Esha prayers, dressed in qawali outfits. This time Rahman, along with Javed Ali and other qawali artists, performed sufi-influenced songs like Kun Faya Kun and Khwaja Mere Khwaja, leaving the audience spellbound.
The musician then performed a few more of the rock numbers before leaving the stage for Bangladeshi legends like Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Momtaz and Kumar Bishwajit for their performance.
Akon took the late night mercury up a few notches before fireworks -- which has become an integral part of any sporting extravaganza in the country -- brought a colourful end to a night of celebration of music.
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