A Game of Melodies

Sharmin Sathi Islam sings at the festival. Photo Courtesy: Bhaskar Mukherjee

The penultimate night (February 15) of the nine-daylong “Bangla Gaan-er Utshab” mainly featured songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. The programme featured Bangladeshi artistes Sharmin Sathi Islam, Aditi Mohsin and Indian artistes Shreya Guhathakurta, Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta.
The festival, jointly organised by Bengal Foundation and ITC-Sangeet Research Academy, is being held at ITC-SRA ground in Kolkata, India.
Founder and Chairperson of BRAC, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, graced the event as chief guest. Vijay Kichlu, the first Executive Director of ITC-SRA, and Abida Islam, Bangladeshi Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, were present as special guests.
Shreya Guhathakurta set off the musical night with several Tagore songs including “Bashonti Hey Bhubon Mohini”, “O Amar Chander Alo”, “Bon-e Jodi Phutlo Kushum”, “Krishnakoli”, “Dujoney Dekha Holo” and a baitalik song “Bajey Korun Sur”. The renditions had a soothing effect.
Sharmin Sathi Islam was next to take the stage. The artiste performed Nazrul's compositions: “Rosh Ghano Shyam”, “Amar Kon Kuley Aaj Bhirlo Tori”, “Srijan Chhondey”. “Amar Apnar Cheye Apon Jejon”, “Amar Bhubon Kaan Petey Roy” and more. She seemingly won hearts of many with her rendition of the song “Kihu Kuhu Kuhu Kuhu Koyelia”, set on Raga Khamaj. Her concluding song was a kirtan, “Shokhi Ami Na Hoy Maan Korechhinu”.
Rabindra Sangeet enthusiasts in Kolkata were thoroughly entertained by Aditi Mohsin's renditions of “Ki Dhwoni Bajey Gahon Chetonar Majhey”, “Anandadhara Bohichhey Bhuboney”, “Bipul Tarongo Rey”, “Je Raat-e Mor Duarguli”, “Bhalobeshey Shokhi” and more. The singer immaculately rendered a “Bhanusingher Padaboli” number, “Moron Rey Tuhu Moho Shyam Soman”. Aditi's cover of the song “Gharetey Bhromor Elo Gunguniye”, set on Raga Lalit (from the drama “Tasher Desh”), brilliantly captured the imagery of spring. The singer further impressed the audience with a baitalik song, “Tobu Mon-e Rekho”.
Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta was the last performer of the night. The artiste, in her own fashion, first performed a Matrivandana, wishing all well. She rendered several of the basic tunes that inspired Tagore to compose what are known as “Bhanga Gaan”. The artiste's rendition of one such tune, based on Raga Bilaskhani Todi, eulogising the goddess Saraswati, seemingly moved many. Her repertoire also included “Daradim Daradim”, originally composed by Sheikh Saadi, and the Tagore song “Sukhoheen Nishidin”; a Bhupen Hazarika song “Shobar Hridoye Rabindranath Chetonaye Nazrul” and a Nazrul Sangeet “Bhoria Poran Shunitechhi Gaan”.
Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are partners of the event. Maasranga Television is the broadcast partner and Charbela Chardik, Kali O Kalam and Bengal Barota are media partners of the festival.