Patriotism Unbound

Nandita Yasmin set off the fourth day's programme with a devotional Tagore song. Swani Zubayeer (right) performed mainly Nazrul's compositions. Photo Courtesy: Bhaskar Mukherjee

Four noted Bangladeshi artistes -- Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Swani Zubayeer and Nandita Yasmin -- moved the Kolkata audience with their performances of Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet on the fourth day (February 11) of “Bangla Gaan-er Utshab -- Kolkata 2013”.
Bengal Foundation and India's ITC-SRA (Sangeet Research Academy) have organised the nine-day festival dedicated it to the memory of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the National Poet of Bangladesh.
Nandita Yasmin set off the fourth day's programme with the devotional Tagore song, “Amar Matha Noto Korey Dao”. The artiste mainly performed Tagore's romantic songs including “Eki Labonye Purna Pran”, “Bhalobeshey Sakhi” and “Eki Shudha Rash Aaney”. The singer's performance of the song “Nidra Hara Raat-er E Gaan” was received with rounds of applause. Her rendition of the baitalik “Tomaye Notun Korey Pabo Boley” was outstanding as well.
Swani Zubayeer next took the stage to perform mainly Nazrul's compositions. The artiste's repertoire included “Jobey Tulsi Tolaye”, “Sakhi Shey Hori”, “Sur-e O Banir”, “Jarey Haat Diye Mala” and more. The singer-musician weaved a melodic garland through the melancholic “Chokher Neshar Bhalobasha”, based on Raga Bageshree. His rendition of the Begum Akhtar song “Koyelia Gaan Thama Ebar” wrapped up his part.
Noted artiste Fahim Hossain Chowdhury stole the show with his cover of Tagore songs at the festival. The singer started his part with the song “Aaji Jato Tara Tabo Akashey”. Fahim Hossain ably represented Bangladesh in Kolkata through the patriotic song “Daam Diye Kinechhi Bangla”, originally composed by Abdul Latif. Hossain showcased his patriotism with the soulful rendition. The painful birth of Bangladesh in 1971 was highlighted in the performance. Eyes watered as the performance was on, accompanied by Durbadal Chattopadhyay's violin. Eminent classical musician Pandit Arun Bhaduri congratulated Fahim Hossain at the end of the performance.
Renowned singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya was the last performer of the musical night. The artiste started off with the song “Majhey Majhey Tabo Dekha Pai”. Her repertoire included “Khelaghar Bandhte Legechhi”, “Ami Marer Sagar Pari Debo”, a baitalik number “Ami Roop-e Tomaye Bholabona” and more.
The fourth day of the music festival had four albums launched, produced by Bengal Foundation.
Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair along with noted ITC-SRA gurus Padma Bhushan Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta and Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan, noted Bangladeshi Tagore singer Mita Huq and managing director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation Pijush Bandyopadhyay attended the album launch. Pijush Bandyopadhyay also spoke at the event.
Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are partners of the festival. Maasranga Television is the broadcast partner and Charbela Chardik, Kali O Kalam and Bengal Barota are media partners of the festival.