For rest of the city dwellers it was an ordinary Saturday evening, but for the crazy fans of urban folk-fusion band Joler Gaan, the evening was waiting with a fiesta of soulful music. Starting from early in the afternoon, music lovers began gathering at the Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct to drench in a musical evening with their favourite band on August 22 evening.  

The musical adda, titled “Megh-er Bhelaye Joler Gaan”, was arranged by Arts & Entertainment of The Daily Star as part of regular musical programmes. Editor of Star Arts and Entertainment, Sadya Afreen Mallick welcomed a houseful of young audience, while Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam presented bouquets to the band members -- Rahul Anand, Kanak Aditya, Rana Sarwar, ABS Jem, Asir Arman, Rifat Ahmed Nobel. They were assisted by sound engineer Shubho on the console.

The unbridled melodic flow, uber-spontaneous singing style and carefree instrumental improvisations made it an event of soulful melodies, as audiences swelled far beyond capacity, many having to be content with sitting (and standing) outside the auditorium watching the performance on a projection display. 

Joler Gaan set off their performance with an earthy rendition of “Jaore Tepantor”. With his usual theatrical approach, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rahul Anand created a distant melody of kirttan on his flute. “Durey Thaka Megh” was their second offering that too came to an end with a flute piece by Rahul. Joler Gaan's humongous hardcore fan-following serenaded every song with the band members. The song “Ronger Gaan”, also popular as “Lilua Batash”, was next, with Rahul Anand terming it a small piece of Bangladesh. Next on their set-list was another hit humbler “Tumi Amar Pashey Bondu Hey”-- an ode to friendship.

The audience cheered in exuberance with flautist Rahul Anand's interchanges with cajón (box drum) player Rana Sarwar. 

A pre-teen member of the audience was called on stage to perform “Bokul Phul” next, a folksy number that has been around in the rural areas of Bangladesh for quite a long time. 

The performance turned as a melodic chorus by all towards the end. “Ek Cup Cha” came next, that was followed by the hauntingly beautiful “Jhora Pata'r Gaan”. Merrymaking with the fans and interacting closely with their fans are two common aspects of Joler Gaan's live shows. Rahul Anand was his spontaneous self on stage; while Kanak Aditya was tuning his instrument for the next song, Rahul sang a verse from an amusing song called “Mosh Tarano Sohoj Noy”. “Akash Mati Jol” was their next presentation. Rahul Anand preluded their next song with a heartwarming love story of a young couple, and the audience joined in a thunderous chorus of the hugely popular song “Ei Pagol!”. 

Love for mother and childhood nostalgia reigned supreme in the performance of the emotional “Kagojer Nouka”, followed by the contemplative number “Urchhi Keno”. The melody of “Shua Urilo” seemingly embellished the song while Rahul closed the song with a prolonged flute solo, creating a musical high.

Asir Arman, a new recruit to Joler Gaan from Chittagong, performed “Amar Monchora Jaye Go”. With requests flying in thick and fast, the performances of “Emon Jadi Hoto” and “Andhar Raitey” followed. The musical joyride came to an end with the upbeat performance of “Patar Gaan”, with a Rahul Anand giving a captivating blare of the conch shell. 

Selim Shamsul Huda Chowdhury planned the set and lights for the event. 

Photos: Ridwan Adid Rupon / Sheikh Mehedi Morshed