DIFF 2019’s ultimate showdown

The final day of the fifth Dhaka International Folk Fest (DIFF) 2019 featured two Bangladeshi artistes-- Malek Kawal and Chandana Majumdar.

The three-day event, presented by Meril, powered by Dhaka Bank and organised by Sun Communications, concluded recently.

The evening kicked off with Maizbhandari Sufi Qawwali songs by Malek Dewan, popularly known by his stage name, Malek Kawal. He was accompanied by his Qawwali troupe. Honouring the century-old legacy of Sufi music and mysticism, the Bangladeshi artistes took over the stage with Nagarsang Kirtnas. The booming beats of dhol and tabla blended with his voice as he sang his first track, Ism-e-azam.

Eminent folk singer Chandana Majumder serenading the audience. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

With lights, music, and a gallery packed with enthusiastic listeners, Malek Kawal’s next song, Main Hoon Mast Kandari, hymned in harmony with a chorus.  Their forty-five minute performance concluded with the song Maulana Maulana.

Their performance was followed by Finnish-Russian folk band Sattuma, who entertained the audience with neo-folk songs and instrumentals, incorporating the soothing sounds of violin, clarinet, folk flutes, and jouhikko with modern instruments such as a bass guitar and drums.

Chandana Majumdar charmed the audience with her first song, Bhokti Chole Jaate Choron Pai, as she presided over the stage. Keeping up with the momentum, the folk queen then went on to present popular folk songs, Dhonno Dhonno and Shinni Khoaw Lov Ache Jar.

Captivating the audience with her voice, she narrated the folklores of graam Bangla, rendering Bijoy Sarker’s composition, Tumi Jano Na Re Priyo. She bid farewell to the stage with the super-hit track, Jao Pakhi Bolo Taare.

The musical night came to a crescendo with Pakistani Sufi rockers Junoon on stage, as they mesmerised the audience with their compositions such as, Junoon, Mera Mahi, Yaar Bina, Yaara Yehi Dosti Hain, and their all-time favourite-- Sayonee.