Classical Music workshop at Bengal Café

Asit Dey speaks at the programme.

Bengal-ITC SRA Classical Music Festival, held last year at Dhaka's Army stadium, created a stir among artistes, music connoisseurs and enthusiasts. The festival turned out to be a grand success with a turnout of an average of 15,000 people every day. The presence of the young audience at the festival was truly inspiring too.
Considering the young artistes' and audience's curiosity and enthusiasm for classical music, Bengal Foundation has organised a three month long classical music workshop prior to the four-day Second “Bengal Classical Music Festival” scheduled to begin on November 28. The workshop, titled “Sangeet Aboyob”, began on September 26 and is being held at Bengal Café in Dhanmondi on every Thursday (3-5pm) and Saturday (10am-12pm). The workshop, focusing on the sub-continental classical music history, its grammar and phrase, science, aesthetics and philosophy, will come to an end on November 16. Chhayanaut Guru Dr. Rezwan Ali has designed the framework of the workshop. Anyone with interest in music can join the workshop free of charge.
Director of Bengal Foundation Subir Chowdhury began the workshop by delivering the welcome address on September 26. Later, two Chhayanaut Gurus –Asit Dey and Rezwan Ali discussed the history of Indian classical music. Two documentary screening on Music Guru Baba Ustad Allauddin Khan and Ustad Amir Khan followed.
On the second day (September 28) Guru Asit Dey focused on Dhrupad and Khayal Gharana. Later a documentary titled “Dhrupad” was screened. Meghna Ameen will discuss on Carnatic Music on October 3.
Among others Saju Ahmed, Kamol Khalid will conduct workshops on different days highlighting classical music, dance, instrument and other aspects of music. Documentaries on classical music maestros including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Alla Rakha, A Luminous Jewel: Pt Birju Maharaj, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pt. Ravi Shankar will be screened on deferent days of the workshop.