Once in a lifetime, once every year

A big fraction of the attendees are urban youths. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

Beginning on Thursday night, The Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014 is now in full swing. Every night, a whopping number of people gather at the Army Stadium to be blown away by classical music -- and of course, to socialise. On Friday night, the turnout went past the 40,000 mark, most of who were youth -- and many of them were attending the festival for the first time.

For Anik Rahman, a youth in his late-twenties, attending the festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I missed the previous editions of festival as I was aboard. I knew that it was a big event but did not have idea about the splendour of this festival. It is fabulous since we get to see some of the most prominent maestros of classical music performing in front of our eyes.”

Ahsan Habib, a first-year university student came at the festival with his friends. For him “It is a new experience. I haven't seen such a programme in my life, and I think it will open a new horizon in the practice of classical music in our country. I have attended many concerts but never seen such arrangements and such an audience.”

“It is hard to believe that classical music has been drawing this huge crowd in winter nights. The audience is from different age groups and different social strata but I think they have good taste of music. The food court is good; though it is a bit pricey they serve quality food. And you have choice,” said Diya Islam, a private service holder.

Arafat Hassan, who came with his family said, “My mother loves music, so I brought her here. She is enjoying the festival while I am meeting my old friends. It is also a social gathering of people of the same taste. I have met many friends and acquaintances here, the ambience is amazing and everything is so neat and clean.”

The festival has many sides; classical music is at the heart of the festival but it also draws people together and connects them, and Bengal Foundation deserves all the credit for bringing back 'once in a lifetime' experiences once every year.