Building cultural links

Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya rendering songs of Rabindranath Tagore

Eminent singers and dancers of Bangladesh and India came together for an enjoyable evening at the Indian Cultural Centre on November 22. The occasion: the celebration of the founding anniversary of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and commemoration of the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the great scholar, architect of freedom and India's first Minister of Education

Veena Sikri, High Commissioner of India and eminent litterateur Dr Anisuzzaman inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamps. Dr Rajib Humayun, president of Association of Bangladeshis Who Studied in India (ABSI) and Dr Neem Bhoumik also addressed in the programme. The speakers focused on Maulana Azad's significant political career, secularism and dedication to achieve freedom from the then British rulers. The speakers also stated that the educational ties between India and Bangladesh were rooted in promoting academic excellence as well as strengthening the bilateral friendly relations.

A colourful cultural programme, divided into two parts, followed next. The first part was performed by the ABSI members. Munmun Ahmed and Tabassum Ahmed--the dancing sisters' duo--performed a Kathak composition, titled Borshai Mayoor, depicting the movements of a peacock. Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, who has earned repute in Rabindra Sangeet, delighted the audience with Tagore's compositions from Bhanusingher Padabali.

Sujit Mustafa's rendition of Mor priya hobey esho rani--a popular Nazrul song and Barey Gholam Ali's thumri Barsan lagi sawan bundia captivated the audience.

Next was Lily Islam's presentation of Tagore's songs. Sajani sajani radhika and especially Jodi tor daak shuney keu naa ashey had the audience in a nostalgic mood. Saadi Muhammad, as usual with his deep baritone voice, delighted the audience with Ami chinigo chini tomarey ogo bideshini and yesteryear's Bangla song Ei raat tomar amar.

After the rendition of songs, the audience saw the graceful movements of Manipuri dancers from India and Bangladesh. Kalavati Devi and her two disciples, Sharmila Bandapadhyay and Tamanna Rahman, along with other Manipuri dancers entertained the audience with different compositions like Mangalacharan, Mridu uddhata nrittya, Mridanga badan, Bajikar khel. Tamanna's Mridu uddhata nritya and Sharmila's Telena prabandha, a composition in Lashya angik merits extra mention.

The elegant performance of Kalavati Devi, with mandira during the Mridanga badan composition, was an example of her credentials in this genre of dance. Kalavati Devi, the director of dance, was accompanied by Gunneshwari Devi and Tombashi on the mridanga (drum).