Tagore’s monsoon melodies

Mita Haque (top) and Nandita Yasmin sing at “Pran-er Khela.”

Noted Tagore artiste Mita Haque and upcoming singer Nandita Yasmin charmed the audience with their vibrant renditions of Rabindra Sangeet at Bengal Foundation's monthly musical programme "Pran-er Khela." The programme was held at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi, in the city on July 23.
The theme of this installment of "Pran-er Khela" was "Borshar Gaan." Artistes performed popular Tagore songs; highlight being the Nobel laureate poet's evergreen compositions on monsoon.
The first artiste of the evening was Nandita Yasmin. A student of seasoned Tagore artiste Sadi Mohammad, Nandita opened her performance with "Gohon raatey srabon dhara." A performance of "Bhora badar mah bhadar" -- a composition from "Bhanu Singh-er Padabali" -- followed.
Other songs performed by the artiste included "Bhalobeshey shokhi," "Dekho shokha bhul korey bhalobesho na," "Mon-e roye jay mon-er kotha," and the ever-familiar "Aji jhoro jhoro mukhoro badoro diney." Nandita ended her performance with "Jetey dao."
Next on stage was Mita Haque. An accomplished singer, Mita trained under Tagore exponents Wahidul Haque and Dr. Sanjida Khatun. At the soiree, the artiste performed around 20 Tagore songs, including "Oi ashey oi oti bhairobo haroshey," "Kotha jey udhao holo," "Timir obogunthoney," "Majhey majhey tobo dekha pai," "Megher porey megh jomeychhey," "Saawan gaganey ghor ghanaghata" (from "Bhanu Singh-er Padabali") and more.
Mita Haques also performed songs upon requests from the audience which included some familiar and lesser-known Tagore songs -- "Joy korey tobuo bhoy keno tor jay na," "Esho nip-boney," "Ami tokono chhilem mogono," "Emon din-e tarey bola jay," and "Ogo amar chiro ochena."
The programme wrapped up with Mita Haque rendering "Dibosho rajani ami jeno kaar asha-e asha-e thaki."
"Pran-er Khela" is part of Bengal Foundation's initiative to promote traditional Bangla songs. The event was sponsored by Eastern Bank Ltd.