BRAC Bank Nazrul Mela underway

The three day (October 27-29) BRAC Bank Nazrul Mela, organised by Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad, concludes today at Bangla Academy Premises.

On the opening day (October 27), the organisers launched a CD featuring 70 Nazrul songs, originally recorded by Abbasuddin Ahmed, as well as an album of Nazrul Sangeet by child artistes of NSSP. The opening day's event was dedicated to legendary singer Abbasuddin Ahmed.

Several noted artistes performed solo songs at the event. Among others Anindita Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam, rendered a bhatiali number “Gangey Joar Elo Phirey”, popularised by Abbasuddin Ahmed. Priyanka Biswas, a promising artiste of the Khulna Branch of NSSP, beautifully performed a raga based song “Eki Oshimo Piasha”.

A snapshot of “Badol Borishone”, Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Armeen Musa with her troupe fell rather flat in their performance of two songs “Bulbuli Nirob” and “Rum Jhum Rumujhumo Ke Bajaye”. Eminent artiste Shaheen Samad rendered two songs including “Modhur Nupur Rumjhum Bajey” while noted singer Yakub Ali Khan also rendered a solo.

Under the artistic direction Lubna Marium, Shadhona's presentation of a dance-drama “Badol Borishon-e” was the highlight of the opening day's event. Shabbir Ahmed Khan Biju choreographed the production with a different presentation based on a Kazi Nazrul Islam story on the same title.

The story of the dance-drama follows a woman who waits for her lover and eventually embraces melancholia. The production also highlights the end of the monsoon. Rokon Emon and Nirjher Chowdhury have done music for the production on Nazrul's monsoon songs. The music for the production was refreshing, and the dancers' costumes, props and performance were scintillating. 

Shahin Samad renders a solo. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Performance of solo songs, dance and recitation continued on the second day (October 28).

Sadya Afreen Mallick and Nasim Al Rashid will host the concluding day's (today) programme dedicating to legendary artiste Sohrab Hossain.

Artistes of Rewaz Performers' School will set off the event 6pm performing a dance piece. Sheema Islam will recite at the event. 

Solo presentation of songs will start at 6:30pm. Daughter of Sohrab Hossain Roushan Ara Shoma will first take the stage followed by soloists -- Shahjahan Patwary, Vice President, NSSP; Yousuf Ahmed Khan; Badrunnessa Dalia; Ashish Kumar Sarkar; Bulbul Mohlanbish, Vice President, NSSP; senior artiste Muntareen Mahal; Nousheen Laila; Alpana Roy; Nasima Shaheen Fancy and Rahat Ara Geeti, another daughter of maestro Sohrab Hossain.

The day's featured solo artiste Yasmin Mushtari will start performing at 8pm.