Of nostalgia and romance

The programme, sponsored by Dhaka Bank Limited, was held yesterday at the A S Mahmud Seminar Hall of The Daily Star Centre. Both prominent and promising artistes -- Mahfuzur Rahman, Samarjit Roy, Champa Banik, Tanjina Karim Sharalipi and Shemonty Monjari performed songs narrating the melancholia of sleepless night at the event, hosted by Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star.

Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, warmly welcomed all and delivered his welcome address conveying his unassuming gratitude to the audience attending the programme.

The melodic evening started off with promising singer Shemonty Monjari performing Nidrahara Raater E Gaan, a Tagore song. With her precise diction and vocal throwing, the artiste stole the show. Her presentation of Atulprasad Sen’s Bondhua Nid Nahi Ankhi Patey also captivated the crowd. She also shared the background stories of the songs she performed.

The esteemed guests and audience at the programme. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi morshed

Tanjina Karim Sharalipi’s rendition of Nishi Nijhum Ghum Nahi Aashe, written and composed by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, mesmerised the music lovers. She later went on to perform Amalendu Bikash Kar Chowdhury’s Ghum Ashe Na Duchokhe Amar, Klanto Shephalira Ghumiye Porechhe, written by Pulak Banerjee and composed by Hemanta Mukherjee, Oi Utola Raate, written by Mohammad Moniruzzaman and composed by Robin Ghosh, and Chonchol Moyuri E Raat, written by Mukul Dutta and composed by Hemanta Mukherjee which were also applauded by the audience.

Champa Banik’s performance of the Nazrul song, Gobhir Raate Jaagi Khuji Tomare, Chand Ki Ghumiye Porechhe, written and composed by Kajal Ghosh and Abhijit Banerjee, Koto Nishi Geche Nidhara, written by Pabitra Mitraand composed by Satinath Mukherjee and Tondrahara Noyon Amar, written by Masud Karim and composed by Samar Das, enthralled the audience. 

Samarjit Roy first took the stage to present Adho Raate Jodi Ghum Bhenge Jai, a popular track written by Anil Bhattacharya and composed by Nirmal Bhattacharya. He also beautifully performed many other evergreen tracks, including Tondrahara Raat Oi Jege Roy, written by Debashis Chatterjee and composed by Pratima Banerjee, and Ghumalo Raater Chand, penned by Shyamal Gupta and composed by Manabendra Mukherjee, thoroughly entertained the audience.

Mahfuzur Rahman’s treat to the Nazrul number Gobhir Nishithe Ghum Bhenge Jai was simply fascinating. The singer seemingly won the hearts of many through performing songs like Kal Shararaat Chokhe Ghum Chhilo Na, written by Sunil Boron and composed by Anil Chatterjee, and Raat Jaaga Mor E Aankhi Pataay, penned by Shyamal Gupta and composed by Satinath Mukherjee.

Many dignitaries, including renowned singer Hasina Momtaz performed her song Tondrahara Noyon Amar, after delivering her special address. Noted singer and composer Faisal Ahmed, Dr Rana Ahmed, an educationalist and music enthusiast, also spoke at the event.