Bhawaiya Music Festival

Rangpur Bhawaiya Academy held a two-day Bhawaiya Music Festival at the local town hall to observe the 110th birth anniversary of folk legend Abbasuddin Ahmed. The event began last Saturday.
The focus of the festival was a discussion on the works and life of Abbasuddin, a competition and rendition of bhawaiya songs by veteran artistes of eight districts under Rangpur division.
Abbasuddin is considered to be the first bhawaiya artiste to have popularised the musical genre of northern Bengal -- especially greater Rangpur region -- and established it among the urbanites.
Bhawaiya has been a cultural heritage for the people of Rangpur. Virtually every person in the region is emotionally attached to bhawaiya.
The festival was presided over by the president of Rangpur Bhawaiya Academy, Advocate Rezeka Sultana. She announced that the Abbasuddin Award would be conferred on cultural organisers, musicians, music composers and artistes.
In the course of the discussion at Rangpur Town Hall, the speakers gave glimpses of Abbasuddin's life. They also expressed their admiration for the legendary singer who devoted his life to music, especially bhawaiya.
The speakers emphasised the need for government patronage in upholding the art form. They urged the government to set up a Bhawaiya Academy in Rangpur.