The Three-Day Folk Fest: In Summary

Photo: sheikh mehedi morshed 

The month of November started out with a bang! Starting off with the Dhaka International Folk Fest, the month has a lot in store for us --- more music and also literature. The three day long festival gathered folk icons from home and abroad—celebrating love and divinity through traditional sound, attracting thousands of music lovers from all over the country. The fest was held at the Army Stadium and organised by Sun Communications. 

On day 1, November 10, after the opening act by Pallavi Dance Centre, the festival showcased its first day's line up which included artists such as Abdur Rahman Baul, Tuntun Baul, Javed Bashir and our very own queen of folk Momtaz. Abdur Rahman Baul who is a direct disciple of Baul Shah Abdul Karim won the hearts of thousands with 'Maya Lagaise' as well as Tuntun Baul, whose rendition of Lalon's 'Bolo Shwarup' mesmerised the stadium. Javed Bashir -- the larger than life Pakistani classical and qawwali singer, opened with a tarana titled "Hans Dhun". Although the sound engineering fell apart in places, it didn't dissuade him from bringing out his musical expression as he continued with original numbers like 'Aje Latha Naiyo', 'Tera Naam Japdi Phiran' and 'Ye Tune Kya Kiya', reciting shers in between. He also brought along two very familiar numbers on his set-list, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Sanu Ek Pal Chayn Na Aave' and the iconic 'Dama Dam Mast Kalandar'. The highlight of the first day was Momtaz who announced to the audience that she would be performing traditional folk numbers, instead of her popular numbers. She took the audience on a musical trip paying tribute to the legendary creators. Her rendition of 'Khaja Morey Nai Morey Nai' broke hearts as well healed many!

Day 2 witnessed one of the largest crowds, ever! The famous flute player Jalal opened up the proceedings of the second day, where he combined his finest folk dhun with rhythms of the two dhol accompanists. He kept the best for last as the young internet sensation Zahid performed his hit Chittagingian folk 'Modhu Khoi Khoi' while Jalal concluded the set with a kirttan. Another outstanding act was the band Indian Ocean. The band paid their admiration to rich Bangladeshi folk music, starting with the song 'Bandhu'-- a tune set to a familiar bhatiali song. One after another the festival was enriched with performances by Baul Shafi Mondol, Labik Kamal Gourob, Spanish artistes Karen Lugo and Ricardo Moro and others. The last performance was by the headliner of the night -- Kailash Kher. Making the thousands of admirers dance to his tune, he performed very short versions of his famous songs 'Teri Diwani', 'Allah Ke Bande' and 'Saiyyan' for lack of time.

On day 3, one of the best debut performances was done by the Nooran Sisters. Despite frustrating issues with the sound, they began with a Bulleh Shah Kalam "Allah Hu". Their performance needless to say took the listeners on a melodic sufi journey. Bari Siddique was also one of the artists who mesmerised the gallery with his enchanting flute and voice. 

Famous British guitarist Sam Mills featured singer Susheela Raman in the festival, who gave a engaging and theatrical performance. Susheela's stage presence and candid dance moves were complemented brilliantly by Sam and the other accompanists in songs like – 'Come on Down Together', 'Sajna', 'Ghost' and 'Main Sharabi'.  The festival closed with its last act Paban Das Baul. The folk legend opened with the soulful rendition of "Guru Doyal Botey" folowed by 'Manush', 'Jonom Dukhi Ma' and others.

As per Dhaka's condition, the security was supposed to be tight but proper behaviour from the security personnels were expected, which they failed to deliver. Many of the audience complained of harassment from the security. There are records where security officers took away lipsticks, kajals and other makeup items despite not mentioning these as sanctioned items. The slot timing of artists was also mismanaged. For example Paban Das Baul was a huge deal for us folk fans. It was Paban Das' 1997 collaboration with Sam Mills in the album "Real Sugar" that brought him to many of us urban listeners, and the much-anticipated duets of the two were cut short. Eventually, the dejected duo had to perform just one song together. The same incident happened with Susheela Raman's performance. 

Despite the 'ups and downs' of the three-day Folk Fest, the gathering, the food and the music gave everyone a platform to showcase love, harmony and happiness -- elements that make us who we are as a people.