Bangla Utshab 2019 concludes

The concluding day of Bangla Utshab 2019, held at Nazrul Mancha, Rabindra Sarobar in Kolkata, welcomed guests to a mesmerising evening of music, featuring an array of artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Kolkata-based artistes Pandit Bickram Ghosh (tabla), Gopal Burman (srikhol), Satyajit Mukherjee (drums) and Abhisek Mallick (sitar), opened with the famous piece, Pancham Se Gara, composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar. Dhaka-based artistes, Md Moniruzzaman (flute) and Dasarath Das (Bangla dhol) followed with a folk piece based on the song, O Amar Dorodi Agey Janle.

The third piece, a jugalbandi offering by all the artistes, was followed by solo pieces where Dasarath Das enthralled the audience with his Bangla dhol.

Bickram, who had been accompanying Pandit Ravi Shankar for 12 years, captivated the audience producing a five-beat rhythm that was evocative of a train approaching and leaving a station. He also played several experimental pieces including generating rhythms on his chest and cheeks, with his hands. The audience also responded to his sawal-jawab styled claps.

Pandit Bickram Ghosh

The troupe wrapped up the jugalbandi styled recital performing Ravi Shankar's piece from the Concert for Bangladesh, which was held at the Madison Square Garden, in USA during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. The kirtan inspired recital was embellished with a flute piece by Md Moniruzzaman. 

The performance, weaving together folk and classical melodies, truly left an impression on music lovers from both Dhaka and Kolkata as Bickram Ghosh predicted prior to the performance.

Popular band Chandrabindu set off their performance with the songs Bhindeshi Tara, Bondhu Chol and Bondhu Tomaye E Gaan Shonabo.

Bangladeshi artistes Samina Chowdhury and Andrew Kishore together with Indian singers Rupankar Bagchi and Iman Chakrabarty performed Bangla adhunik songs and film numbers at the festival.

Bagchi rendered the songs Tor Moto Keu Nei, Roopkatha, Tomar Taney Sara Belar Gaane, Priyotoma, Chupi Chupi and O Chand. Iman Chakrabarty presented a Tagore song, Kholo Dwar Bodhua, along with the film scores Bihu and Tumi Jakey Bhalobasho.

Samina Chowdhury presented the songs Ek Shohider Bodhu Ami, Phul Phote Phul Jhore, Somoy Jeno Katena, Kobita Porar Prohor and Amar Majhe Nei Akhon Ami. Andrew Kishore performed several of his popular numbers, including  Hayre Manush, Amar Buker Moddhe Khane, Porena Chokher Polok and Jiboner Golpo Achhe Baki Olpo. He later sang the duet number, Amar Gorur Garite Bou Sajiye with Samina Chowdhury. The duo thoroughly entertained the audience. In addition, Durnibar Saha rendered several Rabindra Sangeet at the event.

Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty wrapped up the festival starting off with Tagore's Amar Matha Noto Kore Dao Hey. The maestro later performed several raga-based classics including Sobai Amra Tomar Bagane Eksathey Phota Phul, Ami Sur-e Sur-e Ogo Tomaye Chhuye Jai and the famous composition, Ghum Ashey Na.

Bengal Group, Bandhan Bank, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Nothing Beyond Cinema jointly organised the festival.