In marvel of melodies
In marvel of melodies
Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014, the biggest festival of classical music and dance in the world, entered its second day yesterday with crowds coming in early on a Friday afternoon to enjoy the highest order of classical performing arts.
They were treated to a lively performance of a talented percussion quartet from Bangladesh comprising Goutam Sarkar, Md Zakir Hosen, Enamul Haq and Bishwajit Natta. Supriya Das, another talented Bangladeshi artiste, then took the stage, setting the evening in further motion.
But it was Rahul Sharma, son of the iconic Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who left thousands in astonishment with a breathtaking performance on santoor. Accompanied by Satyajit Talwalkar on tabla, Rahul's presentation of the sweet evening Raga Kaunshik Dhwani showed shades of his father, in deftness, swiftness and expressiveness. The presentation was met with excited, booming cheers – a rather uncommon phenomenon for classical music performances.
He was preceded by Abir Hossain, one of the brightest scholars of the India's ITC-Sangeet Research Academy, who alongside accomplished tabla artiste Ustad Akram Khan, took the audience on a memorable musical journey with an immaculate presentation of Raga Jaijawanti, and a small piece on Raga Mishra Pilu.
As of writing this report at midnight, audience numbers had swollen to 35,000 as brothers Pandit Umakant Gundecha and Pandit Ramakant Gundecha took the stage in their maiden performance at the festival. Still to come on the night's schedule were master of Carnatic percussion Guru Karaikudi Mani and another duo of brothers -- Pandit Rajan Mishra and Pandit Sajan Mishra.
The second day's programme was inaugurated earlier in the evening by Dr Gowher Rizvi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's adviser. Hasna Moudud, daughter of Pallikabi Jasimuddin -- who the festival is being dedicated to -- and veteran music connoisseur Alimur Rahman Khan were also present as special guests, alongside Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair.
Abul Khair expressed his gratitude to the various government and administrative offices without whose support the festival would not be possible. Hasna Moudud recalled her father's memories and thanked Bengal Foundation for honouring the Pallikabi.
Alimur Rahman Khan spoke of the power of classical music and its essence, and praised the discerning audience for turning out and making the festival a success.
Gowher Rizvi hailed Abul Khair's contribution to developing the country's arts scene, including the recent launching of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay where talented artistes from Bangladesh can hone their practices under tutelage of world renowned teachers. He also paid tribute to Subir Chowdhury, the recently-deceased director of Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts and a trustee of Bengal Foundation, and commended Bengal Foundation Director General Luva Nahid Choudhury for her pivotal role in organising the festival.
Organised by Bengal Foundation and presented by Square Group, the festival is being held in association with Brac Bank, with The Daily Star and The Daily Prothom Alo as strategic partners.