A garland of monsoon melodies
It was an aesthetically designed musical soiree that HSBC, Bangladesh hosted at the Grand Ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, on July 26. The monsoon-filled evening turned to be a confluence of melody and rhythm, that is evocative of many regards.
The exclusive soiree titled, Jhoro Jhoro Boroshey Baridhara, implies the celebration of Tagore’s creations; but in reality, it offered a medley of monsoon melodies, composed by other bards and the appeal of the songs evokes eternal nostalgia. Paying musical tribute to Subir Nandi, talented singer Aloke Sen started off the event, performing one of his classics Ami Brishtir Kachh Theke Kandte Shikhechhi while promising singer Sanjida Mahmud Nandita rendered a popular Chitra Singh record Akash Megh-e Dhaka.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Aloke Sen mesmerised the audience with his rendition of Nazrul Sangeet, Shawono Raat-e Jodi. Melancholia reigned supreme, as it kept the packed audience rapt while Sen was performing the number. Nandita too, beautifully sang the popular Haimanti Sukla number Ogo Brishti Amar Chokher Pata. Later, the duo rendered the song Hoi Hoi Hoi Rangila Rangila Rey from the Bangla movie Rangbaz. The visual projection of the song lip-synched by Nayak Raj Razzaq and Kobori added a dimension to the live performance.
“This is, for the first time, that we have organised a musical programme on monsoon. Your unprecedented response to our invitation has truly inspired us,” said music connoisseur Mahbub-ur Rahman, the Deputy CEO and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, HSBC Bangladesh. “Our passion for good music and art is perennial. I hope that you will enjoy the soiree, and I am thankful to all of you.”
Francois de Maricourt, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh said, “We always celebrate the valued partnership of not only Bangladesh’s growth but also the country’s rich musical and cultural heritage with our clients.” Maricourt’s recitation of the excerpts Megher Pore Megh Jomechhe (clouds heap upon clouds) from the Nobel winning piece Gitanjali, clearly indicates the CEO’s great penchant for learning the Bangla language.
Rabindranath Tagore had a particular affinity with the monsoon season, when the bountiful nature unfolds her beauty. Tagore’s familiarity with the Bengal monsoon intensified during his trips to the family estate at Shilaidaha. The vast landscapes and the swirling rivers seemed to foster a sense of liberated creativity in close proximity with nature.
Celebrated singer Aditi Mohsin captivated the audience with her performance of several Tagore songs. Starting off her rendition with the song Abar Eshechhe Ashar, Aditi, who is the only Bangladeshi singer to secure first class with first position in both her B Mus and M Mus at Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan, continued to stun the music connoisseurs with her repertoire – Bojromanuik Diye Gantha, Jhoro Jhoro Boroshey Baridhara, Aji Jhoro Jhoro Mukhoro Badoro Din-e, Aji Jhorer Raat-e and Badolo Dinero Prothomo Kodom Phul, that blended the sense of romance and melancholia with a profound sense of restlessness.
The highlight of the programme was the performance by Srikanto Acharya, who spoke highly of Aditi Mohsin and Aloke Sen. The singer captivated the audience with his rendition of the Tagore song Emono Din-e Tarey Bola Jaye. The adhunik numbers he rendered at the programme were mellifluous and inspired from the music of pitter-pattering. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his performance of the Hemanta Mukherjee records -- Ei Meghla Din-e Ekla and Tumi Ele Anek Diner Porey together with ghazal-ang melody Nijeke Se Aj Emni Bhejabe Brishti Ele, Tomar Kachhe Brishtir Din and Amar Sarata Din Megh Akash. The duet performance of the song Aji Toamye Abar Chai Shonabare by Srikanto and Aditi was a fantastic treat for the music aficionados.
HSBC, Bangladesh and especially its Deputy CEO Mahbub-ur Rahman, deserves immense recognition for arranging such a wonderful programme. With aesthetic visual projection, the ballroom resonated with the pitter-patter of the rain, droning sounds of the wind, thrumming sounds of thunder and lightning, swaying branches and coconut trees and other sounds that formed an integral part of the season. Recitation of poems composed by Tagore, Joy Goswami and Srijato, by the beautiful emcee duo Syed Apon Ahsan and Tropa Majumdar, was the icing on the cake for the programme.
Comments