Ustad Sunil Dhar, a classical maestro in Mymensingh, was remembered through a day-long programme on Firday.

Ustad Sunil Kumar Dhar Smriti Parishad organised the programme titled, "Surer Shekhar", at Mymensingh Zilla Shilpakala Academy auditorium

Dr Pradip Kumar Kar attended a discussion meeting as the chair. Ekramul Haque Titu, mayor of Mymensingh municipality, inaugurated the event. Ahsan Ul Alam Chandan was the coordinator of the programme.

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Prof Bimol Kanti Dey presented a keynote paper at the discussion. Smriti parishad Convener Shahidul Alam Laskar, Poet Farid Ahmed Dulal; and Ashik Sarker, an assistant professor, Department of Music at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, amongst others, attended the event as the speakers.

Later in the day, a musical soiree was performed by Ustad Sunil Dhar's disciples, enthralling the huge audience. Local classical music maestros attended the event to honour the veteran artiste.

He was born to the late Dr Akkhmoy Kumar Dhar and Surabala Dhar at village Tarati in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh in 1933. The maestro was fortunate to receive lessons from the legendary classical music guru Ustad Allauddin Khan, when the latter was residing at the palace of Muktagacha zamindars, in 1952. He also took lessons from another guru, Jagadananda Barua on Dhrupad and Dhamar.

During his long musical career, Dhar performed with reputed artistes of both Bangladesh and India.

Founder principal of Mymensingh Nazrul Academy (since 1966) and president of Dhruba Parishad Mymensingh unit, he was also associated with Mymensingh Shilpakala Academy and Muktagacha Sangeet Vidyalaya.

Sunil Dhar passed away on August 27 in 2020.