Musical Homage to four legends

Star Melodies, an initiative of The Daily Star to promote Bangla music, hosted a musical event titled Shurer Badhoney yesterday. The event featured performance of songs by legendary artistes Kamol Dasgupta, Suur Shamraggni Feroza Begum, M Asafuddowlah and Subol Dasgupta.

Noted singers -- Yaqub Ali Khan, Nasima Shaheen, Bizon Chandra Mistry, Chhanda Chakraborty and Shusmita Anis, along with the students of Govt Music College, performed at the event. 

Students of Govt Music College set off the musical soiree with the song Jago Amrito Piyashi Chito, penned by Kazi Nazrul Islam. They also performed another Nazrul Sangeet, Anadikal Hote. 

Shusmita Anis then took the stage to perform the song Ami Nijere Jwalaye, written, composed and recorded by Feroza Begum. The singer’s rendition of popular film song Laguk Dola Laguk Dola, composed by Kamol Dasgupta, was scintillating. Her repertoire included Smritira Pohaye Roddur and Kokhon Je Urey Gechhe, penned and composed by M Asafuddowlah.  

M Tofazzal Islam, M Syeduzzaman and Masud Ahmed present mementos to M Asafuddowlah (second from right).

Bizon Chandra Mistry started his performance with a Nazrul Sangeet, Gobhir Nishithey Ghum Bhengey Jaye, and presented his wonderful take on songs, including Naiba Ghumaley Priyo and Megh Eshe Chhunye Chhunye Jaye.

Chhanda Chakraborty began her set with a Nazrul song, Bhiru e Moner Koli. She also sang Obak Aloye and Sakhi Sedin Shraboney Dulechhinu. Nasima Shaheen started her part with the Nazrul number Mor Na Mitite Asha and rendered several melodious songs, including Duti Pakhi Duti Teer-e, Kotodin Dekhini Tomaye and Jani Bahirey Amar Tumi.

 Yaqub Ali Khan’s performance was a highlight of the event. His repertoire included Koto Phul Tumi Poth-e Phele Dao, Chirodin Jodi Nahi Robe, Menechhi Go Har Menechhi and Ghumer Chhaya Chaander Chokhe. The soiree also included a duet of Prithibi Amarey Chaye by Mafizur Rahman and Chhanda Chakraborty.

The Daily Star honoured M Asafuddowlah at the event. Former chief justice M Tofazzal Islam, Former Minister for Finance M Syeduzzaman, and Comptroller and Auditor General Masud Ahmed presented mementos to the legend. The guests also spoke highly of M Asafuddowlah while the humble personality shared many of his musical memories throughout his life.

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star, hosted and coordinated the event.