Songs of Soul - marks TDS' silver jubilee celebrations

As part of its commitment to promote Bangladeshi culture, The Daily Star regularly arranges musical programmes featuring many artistes of repute. To bring a refreshing change to its regular musical programmes, the newspaper recently held a soiree featuring performances by employees of the organisation, at the SM Ali Library of The Daily Star Centre. 

“Songs of Soul” mainly featured songs deeply rooted in Bangladeshi culture, but also included a flute recital, dance pieces and recitation. 

The programme began with Zahangir Alom's rendition of Rabindra Sangeet “Tomar Khola Haowa”. Shamim Ashraf then came up on the stage to sing Lalon's “Shobder Ghorey”.

Darshan Chakma rendered a song in his native Chakma language. Darshan's rendition of “Hochpana” was appreciated with a big round of applause. Fahmim Ferdous then sang Lalon's “Itorpona”. 

Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam came on the stage and congratulated the performers. He also announced the event as the beginning of The Daily Star's 25th anniversary celebration. 

As the programme went on, Naziba Basher swayed the audience with two dance pieces. She presented a Bharatnatyam, followed by another wonderful piece in sync with Tagore's “Shaono Gogoney”.

Sheikh Enamul Haq presented a solo flute recital of “Oki Gariyal Bhai”.

Darshan Chakma again rendered “Kalo Jole Kuchla Tole”, followed by Shamim Ashraf's splendid rendition of “Dublire Mon Guru'r Chorone”, a song by Lalon. 

Then many performers came one by one. Zahangir Alom sang Lalon's “Apon Ghorer Khobor Nena” and “Manush Bhojle Sonar Manush Hobi”. 

Shamim Ashraf also presented two more numbers: “Ay Mohammad Kamliwala” and “Amar Ghorer Chabi”. 

Lippu Osheem, a Lalon singer and dotara player wonderfully sang Lalon's “Robey Na Ei Dhon” and another number.  

Kamal Ahmed and other singers ended the event with a coral rendition of Shah Abdul Karim's “Gram Er Nowjowan”. 

Nargis Chowdhury, a Tagore singer of repute, accompanied the singers on harmonium, while Lippu Osheem lifted up the show playing his dotara. 

Saful Islam Pallab accompanied the singers on tabla, Abu Hanif Milon played khamak, Mohammad Ashik was on gypsy, Prodip played flute, while Humayun and Nehal Fakir were on dhol and mondira respectively. 

Selim Shamsul Huda Chowdhury planned and hosted the programme. 

Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon / Sheikh Mehedi Morshed