Mirror on the struggle for freedom

Marking the glorious 44th anniversary of Independence Day, Star Melodies of The Daily Star hosted an evening of songs capturing the spirit of Liberation of Bangladesh and a few other countries, at the Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct on March 24. The most well loved melodies of the country echoed through the walls in the voices of four reputed singers, while a lovely touch was added to the programme by showing songs of the freedom movements of six other countries on a projector screen.

The event, titled "Deshe Deshe Shadhinota O Mukti'r Gaan" began with a choral rendition of "Mukti'r Mondir Sopan Toley", a song written by Mohini Chowdhury and composed by KC Dey on the freedom movement of undivided India. Sadya Afreen Mallick, Editor of Star Arts & Entertainment along with other members of the team then gave the audience an introduction to the event, and the artistes. The four singers -- Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury, Dinat Jahan Munni, Badrunnesa Dalia and Mahmudul Hasan  rendered several solos each -- interspersed by songs from South Korea, Algeria, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ireland and Palestine's freedom movements.

Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury performed "Ma Go Bhabna Keno", "Rokto Golap Futechhe Oi" and "Salam Salam Hajar Salam"; Dinat Jahan Munni sang "Ek Nodi Rokto Periye", "Sei Rail Line er Dharey" and "Sob Ko'ta Janala Khuley Dao Na"; Badrunnesa Dalia rendered "Ek Sagor Rokter Binimoye", "Ekti Bangladesh", and “Shadhinota Ek Golap Fotano Din"; Mahmudul Hasan performed "Je Mati'r Bukey Ghumiye Achhe" and "Mora Ekti Phool Ke Bachabo Boley".

Speaking at the event, The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said that the songs added a special dimension to the Liberation movement, and even today can take people back to those days. Eminent expatriate artist Monirul Islam reminisced the sacrifice of the freedom fighters, and the role of the then Art College (now Faculty of Fine Arts, DU) from where the posters against the oppressors were brought out. Thespian Tabibul Islam Babu lamented the fact that many people who opposed the country's Liberation in 1971 hold important positions today, and thanked The Daily Star for organising a programme to rekindle the spirit of freedom among the audience.

The event came to a close with the entire audience singing the iconic song "Purbo Digonte Surjo Uthechhe", written by Govinda Halder and composed by Samar Das, along with the artistes.

Simantic Creative Concern and Eastern Bank Limited assisted in the event, for which set design was conceptualised by Selim SH Chowdhury.