Immersed in Joler Gaan at Bokultala
Eager music lovers assembled at Bokultala, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) of University of Dhaka on December 26 evening to enjoy music of popular band Joler Gaan. The authority of FFA organised the live concert marking birth centenary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin.
Front-man Rahul Anand, back on the stage after his return from South Korea, enthralled the audience with his carefree instrumental improvisations and even impromptu lyrical additions and the typical witty exchanges with percussionist Jarnal. While vocalists Kanak and Xem, and the others of the group maintained a compact performance, what made it special was Rahul Anand's somewhat renewed showmanship. Tota, Rahul's little son, was also on stage, playing one instrument or other, to augment the jubilance of the live event. It was, in a word, a fiesta of soulful songs with unbridled fun.
The imageries that the lyrics of Joler Gaan suggest are unparallel. Exquisite elements of nature, extraordinary thoughts and depth and literary allusions zoom in on the focal point of every song. Along with these, fabulous melodic incorporation and theatrical presentations of songs kept the music lovers satisfied throughout. As Rahul himself said, Joler Gaan looks to 'paint pictures with words', the lyrics and music continued to depict rhythmic images on a poetic canvas.
The crowd enthusiastically sang along while the band performed songs including “Ei Pagol”, “Tumi Amar Pashe Bondhu Hey” (written by painter Dhrubo Esh), “Rong-er Gaan”, “Mayer Jonno Gaan”, “Jhora Pata'r Gaan”, “Andhar Raite” and a blissful instrumental piece named “Ponkhiraaj”. Dean of FFA, Professor Nisar Hossain spoke amid the performance. As ardent fans remained unmoved even after Rahul Anand declared the show over, the band members took off the musical flight and ended up performing more numbers, including “Patar Gaan”, “Geetol Chithi” and “Bokul Phul”. The untainted folk melody of the song mingled with the dew-dropping bokul flowers on stage, as the audience dispersed into the night.
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