National Classical Music Conference in Chittagong

Music aficionados of Chittagong city attended the two-daylong Classical Music Conference at Theatre Institute here. The event ended on Friday.
Featuring vocal and instrumental performances by artistes from home and abroad, the programme, titled “16th National Classical Music Conference 2013”, was arranged by Sadaranga Ucchanga Sangeet Parishad Bangladeh.
Educationist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed inaugurated the conference as the chief guest. Somnath Ghosh, Assistant High Commissioner of India to Chittagong, was present as special guest. Professor Tapanjoyti Barua chaired the ceremony.
Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, in his speech, said that the lust for wealth and quick fame is hindering the practice of classical music all over the world nowadays.
The first day's programme started with the song “Mora Anbo Natun Din”, composed by Ustad Swarnamoy Chakraborty, who is also the secretary of the organisation. Fifty artistes of Sadaranga rendered the chorus in Raga Mishra Kirwani. Khairul Anam Shakil presented Raga Behag. His subtle vocal works received applause from the audience.
At the second day's programme, Salauddin Shantanu presented Raga Yogakosh on santoor, as Bivash Shanghai from India played tabla with him.
Prasenjit Chakraborty from India presented Raga Madhukunj. Pritam Pollay accompanied him on tabla. Indian artistes Subhendu Das and his wife Shruti Pathak Das played a duet table lahora. Their skillful play of fingers kept the audience spellbound.
The programme concluded with a sarod performance by Avijit Roy. He presented Raga Bageshri. Bivash accompanied him on tabla.
A seminar, on the theme “Intellect and emotion in music”, was also held at the conference where Babu Rahman, head of Performing Art of International Culture University, was the keynote speaker.