Presenting songs woven with literary metaphors and imagery of nature

The elements and connotations of nature are recurrent themes in Bangla songs. Our poets and lyricists, with their insightful contemplations, soulfully composed many songs using literary similes and metaphors intertwined with the imagery of nature.

The silence of starry nights, graceful moonbeams, fantasies of the full moon, rippling rivers, choppy seas, beauty and aroma of flowers, mystique romance of the woods and idyllic imagery of the countryside are some of the many themes that have been metaphorically used in Bangla songs.

Star Melodies, an initiative of The Daily Star to promote Bangla music, held a special musical programme that presented nature as literary metaphors used in Bangla songs yesterday at The Daily Star - Bengal Arts Precinct of The Daily Star Centre. The programme was titled, Prakriti-Upomaye Gaantha Bangla Gaan.

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star, hosted the programme elaborating on the excellence of Bangla songs and their timeless appeal. She also shared different aspects of the featured songs and their composers with allusions and references.

Renowned singers Khurshid Alam, Badrunnesa Dalia, Mamun Zahid and Julie Sharmilee performed solo songs at the programme. Besides, students of BAF Shaheen College, Dhaka, presented chorus songs.

The programme started off with the observance of a one-minute silence in memory of the recently deceased music director Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, filmmaker Amzad Hossain, musical icon Ayub Bachchu, artist Syed Jahangir and photographer Anwar Hossain. The organisers, featured artistes and audience also prayed for the speedy recovery of music director and composer Alauddin Ali, who was hospitalised recently.  

The singers performed patriotic songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, film songs and several golden oldies at the event. Students of BAF Shaheen College, Dhaka, started the programme with excellent performances of songs like Amar Desh-er Matir Gondhe, Akashbhora Surja-Tara, Akashey Helan Diye and Purba Didontey Surja Uthechhe. Shahnaaz Sharfuddin, a lecturer of BAF Shaheen College, spoke about the cultural and co-curricular activities of the institution afterwards.

 Julie Sharmilee beautifully rendered songs including Chand Herichhe, Nishi Raat and Ami Sagorer Neel while Mamun Zahid sang Roopsagorey Doob Diyechhi, Amar E Duti Chokh and E Nodi Emon Nodi nicely.  Badrunnesa Dalia's repertoire included Akashey Aaj Rong-er Khela, Nodir Jemon Jhorna Achhey and Akasher Oi Mitimiti Tarar Sathey. Khurshid Alam masterfully wrapped up the soiree with Je Sagor Dekhe Tripto Duchokh, Bondi Pakhir Moto and Padma Meghna Surma Jamuna.