Music enthusiasts of the port city enjoyed an enchanting musical evening that featured songs of legendary singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay at Theatre Institute Chittagong (TIC) auditorium on Tuesday.

To pay tribute to the legendary singer, Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhaka jointly organised the programme.

Close associate of Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, artiste Soumyen Adhikari presented a number of popular songs of Hemanta at the programme.

Earlier, Ustad captain Azizul Islam and Indian Assistant High Commissioner to Chittagong Somnath Halder inaugurated the event.

June 16 was the 97th birth anniversary of Hemanta, one of the most iconic singers of Bangla music. Marking the occasion, the programme was organised to pay tribute to the singer and to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.

Ustad Azizul Islam said Soumyen had got opportunity to come in touch with Hemanta. “We are also fortunate to have the chance to enjoy the songs of Hemanta in Soumyen's voice”, he added.

The programme started with rendering several Rabindra Sangeet and songs of Hemanta by artiste Soma Chowdhury.

Later, Soumyen took the stage and rendered several songs of Hemanta. Interspersed between performances, the famed singer also shared stories behind the songs. His conversation and the performance glued the music aficionados to their seats over one and half an hour. 

He first rendered a Tagore song, “Badolo Dinero Prothomo Kadom Phul”. Next he rendered “Ami Dur Hote Tomare” and “Ei Rat Tomar Amar”.

Later, he successively presented “Ei Meghla”, “Tapur Tupur Bristi Jhore”, “Olir O Kotha Shune”, “Ogo Kajla Nayana”, “Aj Dujanar Duti Poth” “Poth Harabo Bole Ebar” and “Kotodin Pore Ele”. All the renditions were deeply appreciated by the audience.

Shantanu, Dipankar and Shahnewaj accompanied him on tabla, keyboard and guitar respectively.