8th Citycell Channel-i Music Awards at MA Aziz Stadium

The packed audience at the MA Aziz Stadium were treated to memorable performances.Photo: STAR

The gala event of the 8th Citycell Channel-i Music Awards was held at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong city on Wednesday evening. The stadium was brimming with artistes -- both acclaimed and emerging.
With the aim of taking Bangladeshi music to the global stage, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited and Channel-i jointly organised the programme.
Thousands of music loving people of the Port City thronged the MA Aziz Stadium to enjoy the event. The galleries of the stadium were teeming with audiences when the programme started at 7:30pm.
The massive stage installed on the northern side of the ground was designed with two huge sampan (a traditional boat of Chittagong).
The programme started with a digital screening that displayed lives of Master-da Surja Sen and Preetilata Waddedar, the revolutionaries who fought against the British Raj. The role of Chittagong in Language Movement and Liberation War was also highlighted.
Around 50 artistes of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts performed a fusion dance piece, showcasing the classical, folk and indigenous styles. Beating drums, releasing of hundreds of balloons and rounds of applause from the audience welcomed the artistes.
Following the performance, group dance performances were presented to the tunes of the famous Chittagonian songs -- “Karnaphulir sampanwala”, “Tora kawn kawn jabi anr sampanat” and “Sodo sodo dheu tuli” -- rendered by artistes Partha Barua, Rabi Chowdhury and Kanta Nandi.
Faridur Reza Sagar, managing director of Impress Telefilm Ltd and Channel-i, in his speech expressed hope that in the coming days the extension of the programme would spread more at home as well as abroad. Mehaboob Chowdhury, chief executive officer of Citycell, said that they felt proud as they got the opportunity to hold the programme in Chittagong city -- surrounded by river, sea and hills.
Artiste Ferdous Ara rendered three songs at the programme, while noted Tagore exponent Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya sang “Dhono dhanyo pushpo bhora” and “Jodi tor dak shune keo na aashe”
Farida Parveen presented a Lalon song “Dhonya dhonya boli tare” while Indramohan Rajbangshi performed a folk song “Sona bonde amare”.
Artistes of “Channel-i Shera Kontho” and “Khude Gaan Raj” presented a group performance -- “Aamra kajan swapnabaj”.
Country's popular rock bands Miles and Souls presented their well-acclaimed songs “Nishwa korechho amaye” and “Keno ei nishangata”.
Artistes Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila, Subir Nandi, Tapan Chowdhury, Dilruba Khan, Momtaz; actors Razzaque, Ferdous and Moushumi were also present among others at the programme.
Sabina Yasmin was awarded for best Adhunik songs; veterans Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya and Ferdous Ara received awards for the best Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Sangeet albums respectively; Farida Parveen received the award for best folk album and the band Nemesis received the best band album -- in the Critic's Choice category. In the popular choice category, Arfin Rumey picked up the best contemporary album; the band Shunno picked up best band award; Nancy was awarded in the film music category while Habib was awarded the best fusion album.