An offering of songs of language and love in spring

The premise of The Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct came alive yesterday, amidst the gloomy weather, with songs of language and love. To celebrate the arrival of spring and International Mother Language Day, a musical evening titled Falgun-er Rongey Aanka Bhaasha O Bhalobashar Gaan was organised by Star Melodies, an initiative of The Daily Star that promotes Bangla music.

(From left) Champa Banik, Aniruddha Sengupta and Tanjina Karim Sharalipi during their performance.

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star, the host of the event, welcomed the audience. Prior to the performances, Mahfuz Anam, Editor, The Daily Star, presented two books, published by The Daily Star Books, to Ekushey Padak winner Khairul Anam Shakil, one of the featured artistes of the evening.

The performances started with the students from International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) singing Shob kota janala khule daona. The song set the mood for the celebration of spring and International Mother Language Day from the very beginning. They also sang Moder gorob moder asha, Ore bhai phagun legeche bone bone, Phagun hawae hawae, Ami Banglaye gaan gai and Hoyeto tomari jonno.

Students from IUBAT surprised the audience with their musical prowess.

Aniruddha Sengupta heightened the celebrations with immaculate renditions of songs Banglar maati Banglar jol, Jodi tare nai chini go, Bhalobeshe shokhi nibhrite jotone, Boshey achi poth cheye. Besides, songs like Boshonto mukhorito aji, Amaye gethe dao na maa go, Keo bole phalgun, Ami kitomar moto eto, Dure akash samiana, performed by singers Champa Banik and Tanjina Karim Sharalipi charmed the audience. When Tondrahara was being performed by Sharalipi, the original singer, Hasina Momtaz, sang along with her, much to the adoration of the audience.

Noted Nazrul Sangeet artiste Khairul Anam Shakil, with songs Dola lagilo dokhinar bone bone, Bonotal phule phule dhaka, Ami eto je tomay bhalobeshechi and Borne gondhe chonde gitite, that he performed in his majestic voice, put the cherry on top of a perfect evening. The beautiful rainy night ended with a heartfelt rendition of Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano by all the artistes along with the audience.