SD Burman Songs Remain Timeless

Artistes of Bangladesh and India render and dance to SD Burman songs. Photo: Mumit M.

Cultural organisation Bonhishikha arranged a two-day musical programme featuring timeless songs of the legendary composer-singer Sachin Dev Burman. The programme was held at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library, Shahbagh, in Dhaka on April 28 and 29. Several invited artistes from India (Kolkata and Agartala) along with Bangladeshi singers rendered the icon's popular and lesser known numbers.
Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the programme as chief guest. Advocate Pramod Mankin, State Minister, Cultural Affairs, was the special guest. Lawmaker and noted media personality Asaduzzaman Noor and Shah Alam Sarwar, managing director and CEO, Trust Bank Limited, were the guests of honour.
Golam Kuduss, president of Bonhishikha, presided over the inaugural session.
This is the second such initiative by Bonhishikha featuring SD Burman songs. The first programme was held two years ago. The organisers said that their aim is to generate interest in SD Burman songs among the youngsters, adding that they intend to continue holding such events regularly.
SD Burman, who grew up in Comilla, was one of the most celebrated music composers in the subcontinent. His compositions -- featured in both Bengali and Hindi films -- are considered classics. His mastery in blending classical music with Bengali folk elements articulated aspects of life in the eastern region. His romantic songs still enjoy unparalleled popularity.
The first day's programme started with renditions of SD Burman songs by Bangladeshi artiste Swani Zubayeer. Zubayeer, an accomplished singer-composer, sang two songs, including the ever-familiar “Borney Gondhey Chhondey Geetite”.
Around 25 artistes from India performed at the festival; most of them were from Kolkata. On the first day, more Indian artistes performed at the programme than their Bangladeshi counterparts. Did the organisers not find enough able Bangladeshi singers to sing SD Burman songs? The audience noticed this anomaly, and remarked that they would have liked to see and hear more local artistes at the event.
Iffat Ara Nargis and Kiron Chandra Roy were the other Bangladeshi singers performing on the first day of the event.
Their renditions included “Haye Ki Je Kori Ei Mon Nia”, “Bashbo Bhalo”, “Banshi Shuney Aar Kaaj Nai” and “Bondhu Rongila Rey”.
The Indian artistes who performed on the first day of the programme were Shib Prasad Dhar, Tanuja Dev Burman, Rakesh Dev Burman, Uttam Saha, Pranesh Shome, Debjit Roy, Riddhi Roy and Arudhuti Roy. Bobby Chakrabarty (from India) performed a solo dance.
Among Bangladeshi dancers, members of Nrityalok performed a group dance choreographed by Kabirul Islam Ratan.