An evening of melodic nostalgia

December is the month of victory of our glorious Liberation War in 1971, a month that also bids farewell to the year. To relish victory in the twilight of 2019, a musical celebration like no other took place yesterday.

To revisit the glorious songs of our victory, indulging in the timeless melodies of our life still glowing like a nostalgic twilight -- Star Melodies, The Daily Star initiative to promote Bangla music, hosted a musical evening titled Bijoyer Rong-e Aanka Bela Shesher Gaan.

Several students – Anna, Ishan, Nisat, Bulbon, Rizvi, Nuhash and Abir of East West University, first presented several songs on our Liberation War. They started the event with the Tagore classic, O Amar Desh-er Mati and rendered songs like Dhono Dhanno Pushpa Bhora, Je Matir Bukey, Teer Hara Ei Dheu-er Sagar and Purba Digante Surja Uthechhe. 

Kaderi Kibria enchanting the audince with his melody; Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

Prior to starting second half of the soiree, renowned singer of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and an Ekushey Padak awardee Kaderi Kibria shared his fond memories of of singing in front of eminent Tagore song exponents  Maya Sen and Debabrata Biswas. He mesmerised the music lovers the song, Amar Bela Je Jaay. Popular singers Afsana Runa, Bornali Sarkar and Salauddin Khan also performed various renditions in the segment. 

Students from East West University display their talent. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

As the event went on Kaderi Kibria,  beautifully performed Sediner Sonajhora Sondhay by Shyamal Mitra,and the tagore number Diner Sheshe Ghumer Deshe. Afsana Runa started her performance with the Kazi Nazrul Islam song, Mone Pore Aaj. She went on to interpret adhunik songs Sanjher Belaay Pakhi, Oi Akash Ghirey and Prem Jeno Mor.

Salauddin Khan entertained the audience with Tagore composition Amar Din Phuralo andthe Rajanikanta Sen number, Bela je Phuraye Jaay. Bornali Sarkar’srendition of Sanjher Pakhira Phirilo Kulaay, Ei Sundor Swarnali Sondhay, Akasher Ostoraag-e and Nijhum Sondhay were brilliant. The soiree came to end with a choral performance of the patriotic song, Bijoy Nishan Urchhe Oi.  

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star, hosted and coordinated the programme sponsored by Dhaka Bank Limited. The eminent Nazrul Sangeet exponent paid tribute to the martyrs and Freedom Fighters of the Liberation War. She also shared her memories of Maya Sen and Debabrata Biswas with the audience. Renowned singers -- Linu Billah, also a Freedom Fighter, and Yasmin Mushtari, also spoke at the event. At the beginning, observance of a one-minute silence took place in memory of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, the founder and Chair Emeritus of BRAC, one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisations.