Sabina Yasmin and Runa Laila sing together at the Citycell-Channel i Music AwardsPhoto: STAR

The 3rd Citycell-Channel i Music Awards was held at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre on February 25. Renowned and upcoming artistes as well as other distinguished guests were presented at the programme to enjoy the most elaborate award giving ceremony in music.
The evening started with a dazzling fusion instrumental performance led by Ayub Bachchu.
Managing Director of Impress Telefilm Limited, Faridur Reza Sagor and CEO of Citycell, Michael Seymour gave a brief speech in the programme.
The evening started with the announcement of Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, the seasoned diva Sabina Yasmin received the award amidst cheers and a standing ovation. Faridur Reza Sagor and Michael Seymour handed over the crest and certificate to Sabina.
The next announcement surprised the audience as the MC Farzana Brownia requested Runa Laila to take the stage and perform with Sabina. Together Runa and Sabina rendered Esho pran khuley gaan gai ekshathey, written and composed by Shafiq Tuhin and Bappa Majumder respectively.
A one-minute-silence was observed to honour the deceased artistes and cultural personalities including Wahidul Haque, Shefali Ghosh, Sanjib Chowdhury and Pranab Ghosh.
Noted Tagore singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna announced the names of the winners in the Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, Classical (instrumental) and Classical (vocal) categories. Aditi Mohsin, Yasmin Mushtari, Ustad Captain Azizul Islam and Anil Kumar Shaha won in the categories respectively.
In the Folk Song, Modern Song and Best Newcomer categories Bari Siddiqui, Khalid and Ishrat Mitu received the awards respectively from Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das.
In the Best Motion Picture Sound Track, Best Music Video, and Best Cover Design categories Bhalobashbo (Hridoyer Kotha), Ramya Khan for Pakhi (Shironamhin) and Arnob for Hok Kolorob received the awards.
Masudul Hasan for the album Paper, Prince Mahmud for the album Bandana and Asif Iqbal for the song Baruna Sunil won in the Best Sound Engineer, Best Music Director and Best Song Writer categories respectively.
Prayer Hall was selected as the Best Band for their debut album Bujchho, while the organisers decided not to confer an award in the Best Underground Band category as no band or album fulfilled the criterion.
This year the organisers introduced the 'Citycell-Channel i Music Awards by Popular Choice' in four new categories; the winners were selected by SMS votes. The winners in the four categories are -- Artcell (Best Band), T.W. Shynik (Best Newcomer), Mahadi (Best Modern Song) and Bhalobashbo (Hridoyer Kotha) by Habib as the Best Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Highlights of the programme included performances by noted artistes Samina Chowdhury, Bappa Majumdar, Mehrin, Shakila Zafar and S.I. Tutul. Abita Sultana, Mita Haque and Shaheen Samad performed a group rendition of the patriotic song Bangladesher mati.
The programme wrapped up with performances by Nakib Khan, Fakir Alamgir, Ferdaus Wahid and Miles.