'Sunaad': A memorable musical soiree

This month, young apprentices of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay created an escape for the city dwellers with their enticing performances of evening ragas throughout a two-day musical soiree at Chhayanaut. The spellbound audience interacted with applauds to show their love for the musicians. As mentioned by the Director General of Bengal Foundation, Luva Nahid Choudhury, 'Naad,' according to the classical music scripture, describes the primordial sound. The musical assembly was thus named Sunaad. The performances of the two-day programme were aired live on Facebook, and watched by thousands of viewers.

Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay began its journey four years back with the greater intention of guiding young talents to become professional artistes and an informed audience for classical music of the subcontinent. With a modern rendition of the Guru-Shishya Parampara mode of learning, they have engaged internationally famed music gurus Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar (Khayal), Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar (Sarod), Pandit Suresh Talwalkar (Tabla), Pandit Uday Bhawalkar (Dhrupad), Pandit Kushal Das (Sitar) with the institution. About 30 students of Bengal Parampara performed during the two-day musical soiree.

On the first evening, the Chairman of Bengal Foundation Abul Khair inaugurated the programme by presenting Uttorio to one representative from each department. The receiving students were Mirajul Jannat Sonia, Avijit Kundu, Supantha Majumder, Prasenjit Mondol, Shounak Debnath Wreek, Israa Fuljhuri Khan and Debashish Haldar.

 “This is a reflection of our trial. It is indeed a very happy day for us. Our students have already represented the country in India and I hope this journey of learning continues,” Abul Khair addressed the audience.

The first day began with a beautiful Sarod recital. The performing artistes were Israa Fuljhuri Khan, Ilham Fuljhuri Khan, Saddam Hossain and Arefin Rony. Mirajul Jannat Sonia performed a Khayal in Raga Shree and Supantha Mojumder performed an enticing Tabla recital. All the young performers showcased utmost sincerity for music. The first day concluded with the brilliance of classical vocalist Aloke Sen, who performed Raga Bageshree, Desh and a Kabir Bhajan. Music enthusiasts from all over the city came in at the Chhayanaut auditorium to be a part of the musical spectacle.

Performances of the second day began with a Sitar recital of melodious Raga Bihag by Prasenjit Mondol, Jyoti Banerjee, Jahangir Alam Sraban, Mohammad Kauser, Sohini Majumder, Sameen Yaser Iftee and Subrata Biswas. Vocalist Kaniz Husna Ahammady performed a khayal on Raga Multani. Avijit Kundu and Tinku Shil performed a Dhrupad in duet on Raga Chhayanat. They were accompanied by Alamgir Parvez on Pakhawaj. The brilliance of the Esraj recital on Raga Yaman impressed everyone present. Sayeda Rayhan, Raihanul Amin, Ranjit Roy, Sukla Halder, Ismar Ara Ruchy, Shounak Debnat Wreek, Saumit Roy, Gourango Krishna Das were performers as well. Esraj tutor Debashish Halder's performance in Raga Abhogi drew the programme to a close.