Classical music festival in Rajshahi

Two renowned classical musicians were accorded reception at a two-day long Uchchanga Sangeet (classical music) Festival that ended in Rajshahi recently.
Pandit Madan Gopal Das, a noted tabla player of Dhaka and Ustad AKM Shamsuzzaman of Rajshahi received the Ustad Mozammel Hossain Memorial Award, at the reception on the inaugural day.
Dance guru Bazlur Rahman Badal inaugurated the function with Ustad Rabiul Hossain in the chair.
Hindol Shangskritik Gosthi organised the festival in memory of Ustad Mozammel Hossain (1907-1976) who made an immense contribution to music in his lifetime.
The festival began with a choral rendition by artistes of Hindol, Mukto Gharana, Shurotirtho, Dhruboshokha, Shoilee, Oikyatan and Padma Residential Sangeet School. This was followed by a performance of Lahora on pakhawaj by Shushen Kumar Roy of Shatkhira. Solok Hossain, Nagma, Pandit Amoresh Roy Chowdhury of Rajshahi performed Khayal.
Renowned singer AKM Shamsuzzaman, lyricist Soumitra Banerjee, music teachers Rezaul Islam and Rafiqul Islam, among others, attended the event.
The nightlong rendering of classical music by acclaimed and upcoming artistes on the second day was the main attraction of the festival.
The evening began with a group recital of Dhrupad by artistes of Hindol at Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Auditorium that continued till dawn.
Khairul Anam Shakil, Anil Kumar Saha, Rezwan Ali and Anup Barua from Dhaka; Dolon Kanungo of Chittagong and Parmita Haq, SM Selim Akhtar, Manjusri Roy rendered Khayal while Pandit Shibnath Das played the flute.
Swarup Hossain, Uttam Kumar Haldar and Madan Gopal Das played tabla, Solok Hossain assisted on harmonium and Konkon, Mousumi, Himel, Govinda, Dilara and Ritwik played the tanpura at the programme.