Serenading melodies of Baishakh

Melody has an eternal appeal in the celebration of life. Bangalees have many time-honoured cultural festivals where music plays a pivotal role to augment the joy of celebration. Baishakh, the first month of Bangla calendar, brings a flurry of fiesta in our life. To hail the month, HSBC Bangladesh hosted a grand musical programme titled “Baishakh-er Sur Bajuk Pran-e” at Le Meridian Dhaka on April 20.

The event featured rendition of songs, dance recitals, recitation of poems and display of magic by country's renowned singers, dancers, elocutionists and a magician.

Artistes of Nrityanchal set off the programme with dance pieces set on a medley of melodies like “Dhwanilo Rey”, “Takdum Dum Bajey Dhol” and “Esho Hey Baishakh”. Several promising artistes of the troupe presented a reflection dance in Kathak style. Nrityanchal directors Shameem Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad choreographed and performed the pieces with their disciples. 

Francois de Maricourt speaks; Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Renowned actor-elocutionist Jayanta Chattopadhyay's beautiful presentation of two poems -- one delineating the saga of epic character Draupadi and another illustrating the historical character Kadambari Devi (Tagore's sister-in-law) -- took the audience to the realm of poetic bliss.

The theatrical presentation of a poem from Purnendu Pattrea's “Kothopokothon” by Tropa Majumdar and Apon Ahsan earned hearts of many, while internationally famous magician Jewel Aich captivated the audience with his scores of performance. At one point he played the melody of National Anthem on flute while his assistant hoisted the National Flag. The audience also paid due homage to the National Anthem.    

Francois de Maricourt, CEO of HSBC, Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address sharing his Naboborsho greetings in Bangla while Mahbub-ur Rahman, Deputy CEO and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, HSBC Bangladesh, elaborated the rationale of arranging the special musical soiree. Offering his candid New Year greetings to all, he spoke highly of the opulent cultural heritage we have. Expressing his utmost gratefulness and homage to the martyrs of Language Movement and Liberation War, Mahbub-ur Rahman soulfully recited a Shamsur Rahman Poem “Oder Ghumote Dao” at the event. Faizur Rahman, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bangladesh, also delivered his welcome address at the event.  

The musical soiree started off with the performance of a patriotic song, “O Amar Desh-er Mati” by noted Tagore singer Adity Mohsin. She later melodically rendered a DL Roy song “Aji Nuton Ratoney” that depicts the replenishment of new over old in nature.

Adity Mohsin sings at the event. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Renowned singer Subir Nandi entertained the audience performing four songs including “Ekta Chhilo Sonar Konya” and “Hajar Moner Kachhe”. With his sonorous voice, noted singer Rathindranath Roy mesmerised the crowd with performing a popular Bhawaiya song “O Ki Garial Bhai”. He also rendered a Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra song “Chhotoder Boroder Shakoler” at the programme.

Mahbub-ur Rahman delivers his speech. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Eminent singer Farida Parveen presented two songs “Ei Padma Ei Meghna” and “Milon Hobe Kotodin-e” while Meher Afroz Shaon rendered three songs including “Moriley Kandish Na” and “Amar Achhe Jol” at the event.

Popular singer-musician Pinto Ghosh captivated the crowd with folk numbers and film scores like “Maya Lagaichhe”, “Basanta Batashey” and “Kanamachhi”, a track from the film “Television”. Later, members of the band Feedback rocked the audience with performing their popular songs at the programme.

Actor-elocutionist Afzal Hossain with TV host Mithila Farzana emceed the event.

In presence of an august gathering, HSBC has regularly been holding soirees of Bangla music on various themes over the years, to celebrate Bangla music and culture.