The thundering call of music…

As Tagore refers to viswa veena or the lute of the universe in many of his songs, the imagery of the solar system appears amid the beautiful lotus and the moonlit night. The lovely veena makes the heart of the worshipers dance to the rhythm of the universe.

The solar system indeed maintains a rhythmic beat. From the beginning of time, mankind has sought to harness the melodies of nature -- the vibration of the hunter's bow, the chirping of birds, the sound of lashing winds, pouring rain or a gurgling stream and those who have captured that essence in their music, have been recognised as true maestros.

Sub-continental classical music is akin to an island--unspoiled through the centuries. Pure classical is the root of all music and from it stems the different genres –such as light classical/ thumri/ dadra/ kajri/ chaiti/ hori to the film songs, which originated from folk tunes. Ragas are our emotional expression either through the instruments or vocals depicting various 'moods'.

Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia

As we listen to the clock ticking away, Bengal Foundation braces itself once again to host a brilliant week of Indian Classical music packed with riveting performances by maestros of the subcontinent.

The five-day mega event due to begin on November 27 with legendary musical greats and promising music exponents from India and Bangladesh is expected to draw an audience of 30,000-50,000 enthusiasts of all ages.

We thank Bengal Foundation's initiative - in its fourth year now - to bring the masters of Indian classical music under a single platform so that the people of Bangladesh particularly the youth population get a chance to listen to the great masters and satisfy or stimulate their love of music.

Ustad Zakir Hussain

The exposure of young people to classical music is heartening. Music education has become more accessible with music classes in schools, colleges and universities and online-- while music institutions produce a number of graduates of various levels every year. Besides that, many are returning home after completing training or degrees on music from institutions overseas. Institutions such as Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay have also spread their wings by inviting stalwarts to train the aspiring artistes in Bangladesh. But we also need co-ordinated efforts between Bengal Foundation and private and public universities so that the art can establish firm roots in the country. An exchange of ideas between the stalwarts and students would spread knowledge and expertise to the music departments of different universities such as Rajshahi University, Dhaka University, Government Music College or other private institutions such as Chhayanaut that has done so much to promote the arts.

But the other side of the coin is that as aspiring artistes training in classical music for decades, do not often find a platform to sing or cannot afford to pursue it professionally, many have switched to other forms of music or even to other professions. Most artistes who have received extended classical training are disappointed and frustrated today to be sidelined by singers of more popular genres.

Music is the soul of culture. Despite the current state of classical music in Bangladesh, we have to move forward. Government, corporate houses and of course the media, electronic in particular, must come forward to promote the legacy.

The festival that Bengal Foundation is organising is an opportunity that could be powerfully utilised to take this art form to new heights.

But much more is required. Classical music should be included in school syllabus as it involves meditation, discipline, breathing techniques that will shape not only their music skills but personalities throughout their lives.

Young talents should receive good voice training so that they can hone the art and produce music that stands the test of time.

What had been the masterful pitch of Ustads reverberating across the rajbari (royal courts) of Mukhtagacha, Gouripur, Dhaka, Comilla, Barisal, Rajshahi and Chittagong of Bangladesh has slowly ebbed into hushed echoes. The sitar, pakhwaj, and esraj that had strummed so feverishly side by side with the vocalists have inevitably been orphaned to stillness.

But on a more optimistic note, the raw energy that one witnessed at the classical music festivals in the last couple of years, gives hope that that the genre is sure to flourish once again in Bangladesh.

For the past three years, the massive attendance at the festival have carried a consistent and simple message. Music is on our blood and echoes with every beat of our heart. And while some in the audience come to reconnect to their love of music from an age long past, the growing number of young listeners bear a different message: we are ready. Ready to revive what has always been buried deep inside us.