(Top)Souls performs its popular numbers. (Bottom) Bappa Majumder (R) and Dolchhut at the concert. Photo: STAR

To mark the International Women's Day as well as to generate awareness against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) jointly arranged a concert at the Gulshan Youth Club on March 8. Slogans included “Stand up for Women's Rights” and “Anti Corruption Movement and Women's Rights Movement hand in hand now”. Famed and upcoming bands and solo performers entertained the audience throughout the day.

“We will no more be captive indoors,” said baul singer Kangalini Sufia. The artiste started with the song Amra nari koto koshto kori. She also rendered one of her most popular songs, Konba pothey Nitaiganj jai.

Renaissance took the stage next. Their rendition included Runway-er mati chhuye, Benchey thaka niye and the familiar number Bhalo lagey.

Members of Pancham Sur, a troupe from the Acid Survivors Foundation and Awaz Foundation, a troupe of working women rendered songs titled Shonali manusher ahoban and Esho narider pashey darai respectively.

Artistes Krishnokoli and Kafil Ahmed together took the stage and rendered Shatkahon, Alo fonta bhorey, Africa and Buk taan korey darao. Noted artiste Fahmida Nabi sang a couple of songs including Lukochhuri lukochhuri golpo.

The audience seemed to enjoy Shahed's renditions of Prem hoye jay, Tumi amar and Amar bondhur rong. Yaatri sang three songs including Mitthey prem, Ekta gopon kotha and Nupur.

Solo performer Mehreen was the last performer before evening prayer break. She rendered Tomar jonno, Rajkumar and Bangladesher dhol.

After the break Shankor Sawjal, Shawjib, Tamanna Rahman and others performed the theme song of TIB Jago manush jago. A laser Show followed the performance.

In the evening rock guru Azam Khan took the stage with his band Uchcharan and rocked the audience with his much popular song Bangladesh. The veteran artiste also rendered Prem chirodin.

Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB; Rokeya Kabir of Nari Pragati Sangha and Dr. Sonia Nishat Amin spoke at the programme. A message from Mili Rahman -- widow of Birshrestha Matiur Rahman -- urging the immediate trial of war criminals, was read out at the event.

Dolchhut, with Bappa Majumder on the vocals, opened their performance with Din bari jaye. Baji was among the other songs rendered by the band. The band remembered the late Sanjib Chowdhury, one of founding members of Dolchhut. A minute of silence was observed in memory of Sanjib.

Souls performed Brishti dekhey onek kendeychhi, Cha-er cup-e, Jhut jhamela and Keno ei nishshongota.

Black delivered a spirited performance. Songs performed by the band included -- Poytrish, Blues & Roud and Porahoto. The band also presented one of their unreleased songs -- Abar, the title song from Black's upcoming album; set to hit the market in May.

Next was Aurthohin with Sumon as the vocalist. The band performed an array of romantic songs including -- Tumi bhorechho ei mon (a translation of the John Denver classic Anni''s Song) and Neel Akash.

The last performer of the day was Maqsud O Dhaka. Performance by the band included -- Bangladesh, Moushumi, Chokhachokhi and Melaye jairey.

In the evening session of the programme ACC Chairman Hasan Mashud Chowdhury; Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, chairman of TIB Board of Trustees and Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, gave speeches. A message from Huguette Labelle, chairperson, TI (Transparency International) was read out at the venue.