A musical tribute to Shah Abdul Karim
On November 1, Dhaka University's music department, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Bangla Academy, organised a programme in memory of Shah Abdul Karim at TSC Auditorium, DU.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith was the chief guest at the event. Among others Kamal Lohani, director general, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy and Dr. Mridul Kanti Chakrobarty, professor, Department of Music, DU were also present at the event.
This was the first memorial programme, honouring Shah Abdul Karim, by the DU music department, BSA and Bangla Academy after the bard's death on September 12 this year. Karim's timeless creations are considered priceless and have found keen audiences among generations. His songs, adapted by popular contemporary bands and artistes like Dolchhut, Habib and others, have reached greater heights.
At the programme, teachers and students of the music department made homage to the 'Baul Samrat' through renditions of his evergreen songs -- compositions on love, deho-tatwa (metaphysical aspects) and nature.
The programme began with a group performance of the song "Agey ki shundor din kataitam," highlighting religious harmony.
Next was a patriotic number, "Ami Bangla ma-er chhele" by Enamul Haque. Razia Sultana performed "Ailaye na ailaye narey bondhu".
A popular romantic number, "Bashonto batashey shoigo", was rendered by Lutfur Morshed Chowdhury. The song received a warm response from the audience.
Naima Haque sang another familiar Karim song, "Gaan gai amar monrey bujhai".
Kakoli Dev and Susmita staged a duet "Pirit koria bondey" -- articulating separation in love.
Teachers of the music department, Mafizur Rahman and Biman Chandra Bishwas performed "Rai tomarey ami" and "Ami phool bondhu phool-er bhromora" respectively.
Group performance of the songs -- "Tomra kunjo shajao go" and "Kon mistori nao banailo" were greeted with rounds of applause.
"Among the countless subjects that a baul delves into, deho-tatwa is one of the most profound. Almost every baul has compositions on the subject," said Dr. Mridul Kanti Chakrobarty.
Dr. Chakrobarty performed a lesser-known Shah Abdul Karim song, "Dekhna khujey dehar majhey".
"I collected the song from Hossain Ali, a student of Shah Abdul Karim, in 1985," he said.
The programme ended with a group performance of the familiar song, "Gari choley na".
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