March 7 is not just a simple date – it is one of the most crucial chapters in the history of this nation.
On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his historical speech calling on people from every walk of life to liberate this country.
Responding to his call, brave Bengalis brought independence in exchange for blood and millions of lives.
Half a century has passed since, but the historic speech of Bangabandhu on March 7 still inspires Bengalis. It still ignites the spirit of patriotism in their blood.
Joy Bangla Concert is held every year to capture this very spirit and spread it to the new generation.
Since 2015, the concert had been held every year at the Army Stadium in Dhaka. However, it could not be held for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
After two years, the concert returned in 2023 with double the joy and excitement.
A sea of youth was at the Army Stadium on Wednesday. The grand concert began with a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Gulistan blast that has taken the lives of 21 people so far and injured dozens.
CRIThe concert officially started with Arekta Rock Band taking the stage. They started their performance with a cover of the timeless song “Amari Desh Shob Manusher.” Then they played some of their own songs.
The audience had a special interest in the young band Karnival at this year's concert. They sang, among other songs, “Shob Kota Janala Khule Dao Na,” “Amar Shotto,” “Bhrom” and “Sheishob Din Raatri.”
Meghdol, famed as one of the best bands of this generation, performed at the Joy Bangla Concert for the first time.
The band began their performance with “Muktiro Mondiro Shopano Tole” then one by one they sang their popular songs “Esho Amar Shohore,” “Char Char Chouko,” “Nirbaan” and “E Hawa.”
After Meghdol, Avoid Rafa took the stage. They started the performance with a song dedicated to the freedom fighters, titled “Amra Tomader Bhulbona.” Then they performed some of their popular songs.
Lalon has always been able to stir the audience and this time there was no exception. They performed “Purbo Digonte Surjo Utheche” right after they took the stage. After that, they enthralled the youth with songs like “Shomoy Gele Shadhon Hobe Na,” “Ek Chokhete Hason Kande,” “Ruhani” and “Bhober Pagol.”
Cryptic Fate started their mesmerizing performance with the song “Tir Hara Ei Dheuer Sagor.” The audience screamed along with Shakib Chowdhury's powerful voice.
Then, one by one, the band performed some of their popular songs like “Bhor'er Opekkha,” “Raater Shesh,” “Rong,” “Protibad,” “Bhoboghure” and “Akromon.”
The young generation's favourite band Nemesis went up to the stage and sang another song of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, “Mago Bhabna Keno.” Then they enthralled the audience with their songs “Janala,” “Kono Din,” “Bir,” “Obocheton," “Gonojowar” and “Kobe.”
By that time, night had fallen in the city. The lights of the concert stage were also turned off. It was in that darkness that the popular band Chirkutt, which passed two decades recently, took the stage.
Their performance started with the song “Bicchuroner Aloy Jokhon Digun Hare Jolcho.” Then one by one famous songs like “Jadur Shohor,” “Duniya,” “Kanamachi” came out in the voice of Sharmin Sultana Sumi.
At last, Artcell hypnotized the audience with their powerful performance of the song “Kandari Hushiar.” After a few more songs, Lincoln and his team left the audience in a wave of euphoria.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also graced the concert with her presence.
CRIShe appeared at the stadium during the performance of Cryptic Fate and sat in the VIP gallery to enjoy the performances filled with youthful exuberance.
Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and Radwan Mujib Siddiq accompanied the premier on the occasion. She waved from the VIP box and greeted the youth at the Joy Bangla Concert.
Young Bangla, a youth platform of the Center for Research and Information (CRI), organized the Joy Bangla Concert for the seventh time.
This year, the Joy Bangla Concert was held on March 8 due to Shab-e-Barat falling on March 7. The concert coincided with International Women's Day. On the occasion, Young Bangla launched separate registration, urging women to join the concert.
The presence of women at the concert was certainly noticeable. There was also a separate corner for women.
In between the performances of the nine bands, a documentary on Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech was shown at the concert. Besides, there was a dance performance as well.