Anup Barua performs at IGCC

The artiste (2-R) sings at the soiree.

Noted Bangladeshi artiste and Chhayanaut Guru Anup Barua performed at a solo musical soiree held recently at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) auditorium, Dhaka.
The artiste started off the event with a Nazrul Sangeet “Ami Pothomonjuri”. As an ode to autumn, the singer rendered “Kholo Kholo Kholo Go Duar”. Next was his presentation of adhunik Bangla songs including “Sundari Go” and “Jadi Kagoje Lekho Naam”, originally recorded by Manny Dey and “Aj Ei Brishtir Kanna Dekhe”, “Ek Phota Bish” and “Dukkho Amar”, recorded by Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury.
Anup Barua delves deep into the heart of every song he sings. That's why the audience encored for more; the artiste ended up performing for three hours at a stretch at the soiree. The artiste rendered ghazals –“Hum Koyi Gham Nehi Tha” and “Pyaar Bharey” – originally recorded by Mehdi Hassan. He also performed a Pahadhi thumri at the event.
Rendition of raga-based Bangla songs came next. Barua presented several songs including “Nishi Jegey Ghumaye Shei” (on Raga Mishra Jogia) and “Sur-e O Banir Mala Diye” (on Raga Pilu) on request. The singer also presented bandish of several ragas prior to performing the songs. The audience also requested him to sing several tappa genres including “Boro Neshatey Porechhi Shyam-er Banshite”, “Amarey Ashte Bole” and “Dekha Holey Nanodirey Bolo”, originally popularised by Ramkumar Chattopadhyay.
Later, he performed one of his favourite songs, “Sharadin Tomaye Bhebe”, recorded by Subir Sen, a folk fusion “Shona Bondhu Tui Amarey” and wrapped up the programme with a Nazrul Kavyageeti “Ami Chirotorey Durey Chole Jabo”.
Anup Barua is one of the finest vocalists of Bangladesh. With his classical virtuosity and passion for music, he has developed a distinct style that reflects a unique blend of depth and resonance. Barua's renditions of Nazrul Sangeet, folk, adhunik Bangla songs, ghazals, and thumris are highly appreciated by music lovers.
The artiste initially trained in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music under Ustad Nirad Baran Barua and later trained at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Delhi and Mumbai, India under a scholarship of the Government of India. He continues his musical training in Kirana Gharana under Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan.
Besides teaching at Chhayanaut, he is an instructor of Classical Music at the Bengal Foundation at Dhaka since 2003.