Growing up listening to timeless melodies like "Ke Jash Re," and "Tumi Aar Nei Se Tumi," the name Sachin Dev Burman needs no introduction to Bangla song lovers.

To pay homage to the legendary lyricist and composer, cultural organisation Banhishikha organised "Sachin Dev Burman Sangeet Utsav," a two-day musical festival, at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

The festival was inaugurated on Friday by State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, who attended the festival as chief guest.

"Deliberate expositions are required on SD Burman for the development of Bengali art and culture. It is important to preserve the artiste's legacy," said the state minister in his keynote speech.

Photos: Arshadul Hoque

IFIC Bank's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shah Alam Sarwar and Ganasangeet Samannay Parishad General Secretary Manjar Chowdhury Sweet were also present as special guests.

"Folk music is an amalgamation of thousands of years of cultural practices of a demographic. Burman, with his individualistic style and musical gifts, went forward and contributed outstandingly to foster and develop the music of this subcontinent," said Shah Alam Sarwar.

Presided over by the organisation's president Ghulam Quddus, its secretary Abida Rahman Setu delivered the welcome address.

Following the inauguration ceremony, prominent artistes from Bangladesh and India's West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura paid tribute to the maestro, celebrating the richness of his compositions in musical presentations and dance recitals between 6:00pm and 8:00pm this weekend.

The cultural part commenced with a rendition of the popular tracks "Dur Kon Porobashe Tumi" and "Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina," performed by Banhishikha artistes.

Bangladeshi dance troupe Spandan and Indian dance troupe Saumitra Shankar Dance Group from Assam staged group dance recitals synchronised with the songs of SD Burman at the event.

Chandana Majumdar mesmerised the visitors with evergreen melodies -- "Ke Jas Re, " "Rangeela Re," and "O Jani Bhromora." Meanwhile, Mamum Jahid Khan beautifully presented "Tumi Aar Nei Se Tumi," "Kandibona Phagun Geley, " and "Barne Gandhe Chhande."

Sandipan presented "Jhilmil Jhilmil Jhiler Jole" and "Shono Go Dakhin Hawa" while Setu performed "Ei Chaiti Sandhya Jay Britha" and "O Kalo Megh Boltey Paro".

Tanuja Dev Burman, great-granddaughter of the legend also performed at the event.

"It is wonderful to see how Bangladesh celebrates SD Burman. We, along with other musicians, come to this festival every year and to meet enthusiasts who encourage us to take his legacy further," she said while performing at the festival on Friday.

Indian singers Shirshendu Roy and Arina Mukherjee also performed at the event which concluded yesterday.