A Musical Spell

Fahmida Nabi (L) and Bappa Mazumdar sing a duet at the festival. Photo Courtesy: Bhaskar Mukherjee

Popular Bangladeshi artistes Bappa Mazumder and Fahmida Nabi, together with Indian singers Shubhamita and Srikanto Acharya, made the Kolkata audience at the SRA premises sway with their performances of mellow rock, adhunik songs and Rabindra Sangeet on the fifth day of “Bangla Gaan-er Utshab-Kolkata 2013”.
Bappa Mazumder opened the fifth day's programme with his popular song “Brishti Porey”. Mazumder's massive popularity in Kolkata was proved once again when the singer-musician performed several of his songs including “Din Bari Jaye”, “Pori”, “Baaji” and “Bioscope”. The Dalchhut frontman produced improvisational rhythms on his guitar, coupled with classic-tinged rendition of the song “Pori”. Prior to performing the song “Baaji”, written by Sanjeeb Chowdhury, the artiste remembered his long-time friend and band-mate.
Fahmida Nabi was next to take the stage to perform adhunik songs, recorded by her and her father, the legendary singer Mahmudunnabi. The singer began with a patriotic song “Ei Bangla Ke Bhalobeshey” that she recorded for her album “Dupurer Ekla Pakhi” and dedicated it to the noted sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhashini. Fahmida's repertoire also included “Ami Parina Bojhatey”, “Mon-e Ki Porena”, and Mahmudunnabi classics “Tumi Kakhon Eshey” and “Ami Saat Sagar Pari Diye”.
Later, Fahmida Nabi and Bappa Mazumder performed two duets -- “Akash Khuley Boshey Achhi” and “Ekti Duti Ghum-er Galpo”, written and composed by Sanjeeb Chowdhury and Bappa Mazumder respectively.
Shubhamita came next on stage and performed two Tagore songs -- “Eki Gabhir Bani” and “Tomar Khola Hawa”. The artiste moved the audience with several of her songs including “Jarey Jarey Phirey”, “Tomar Kachhey Fagun Cheyechhey Krishnachura”, “Moner Hodish” and “Batash Dakena Ager Moton”. She also performed “Jebhabey Tumi Shokal Dekho” (written and composed by Nachiketa) and “Shudhu Tomaye Bhebey Bhebey” (composed by Srikanto Acharya) on request from the audience. The artiste also performed an Arfin Rumey composition “Tomaye Chhere Bohudurey Jabo Kothaye” and a film song “Aaj Na Jaiyo Yamuna Paar”, written in Maithili language by noted filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh.
Srikanto Acharya was the last performer of the night. The artiste enthralled the audience with the Tagore song “Je Raat-e Mor Duarguli Bhanlo Jhor-e”. Srikanto's repertoire also included “Amar Sharata Din”, “Eshechhi Abar Phirey Shekhanei” and “Noditey Tuphan Ele”. Later, Srikanto Acharya --with Fahmida Nabi, Nabonita and Gourob -- rendered the patriotic Tagore song “O Amar Desh-er Mati”; the audience stood up and sang in unison.
Today's arrangement of the festival is themed “Panchakabi'r Gaan”, and will feature performances by Aditi Gupta, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Bulbul Islam and Mita Huq. Rabindra Sangeet albums by the respective artistes, titled “Hridoy-Bashona”, “Bodhu Hey Phirey Esho”, “Gaaner Ratan-Haar” and “Chiro-bondhu Chiro-Nirbhor” will be unveiled.
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.