A performance by Abdul Quddus Bayati and other baul artistes made for a memorable event at Mymensingh Town Hall premises Saturday evening.

Braving inclement weather, people from different areas of Mymensingh thronged the venue for a lively performance of traditional folk songs of Mymensingh region by Quddus Bayati and his troupe. 

Mymensingh municipal authority organised the event to commemorate the nationwide celebration of Unesco's recognition of the historic speech of March 7 of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a world documentary heritage.

Bayati's own songs including “Amar Pagla Ghora Re” and “Jamunar Jaal Dekhte Kalo, Snan Korite Lage Bhalo” lent a touch of lightness.

Bayati, who comes from Kendua upazila of Netrakona district, said he is in full form at such open stage performances where there is a greater interaction with the audience.

Baul artistes Mohammad Ferdous, Mukhles Uddin and Chand Mia also performed marking the event.

The artistes of Mymensingh Academy of Fine Arts performed in several dance sequences on the occasion.

The exceptional performance of Quddus Bayati with extraordinary body language on the folk songs related to “kichha palas” in regional language is an attraction especially for town dwellers as such performances are rare now, said Mahbub Hossain Sharif, director of Sandipon Sangskiritk Sangstha.

Bayati's devotion to the songs of Shah Abdul Karim, Jalal Uddin Khan, Ukil Munshi and many other bauls and spiritual artistes of Mymensingh reason have an indelible impact on the audience, said Sarwar Kamal Robin, vice-president of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, Mymensingh unit.

Earlier, mayor of the municipality Ekramul Haque Titu inaugurated the celebrations. Celebration committee's convener, also Mymensingh municipality councilor Nazrul Islam and advocate Moazzem Hossain Babul also spoke on the occasion, among others.