Amidst the presence of music aficionados and cultural enthusiasts at the Army Stadium, the curtain rose on the 4th night at the 4th Bengal Classical Music Festival. The evening began with the director general of Bengal Foundation, Luva Nahid Choudhury, paying a special homage to the memory of the renowned artist Qayyum Chowdhury. The artist breathed his last on the stage of the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014 when he suddenly collapsed while giving his speech. Luva Nahid Choudhury said that his death had stalled the art movement in Bangladesh and created a vacuum in the realm of culture, which was impossible to fill. An eight-minute documentary, reflecting upon the life and works of the late artist Nishorger Akiye made by Bengal Foundation, was screened.
The first performance of the evening was Kuchipudi dance by Guru Radha and Raja Reddy. The team also consisted of Bhavana Reddy, Kaushalya and Yamini Reddy. They performed Ganpati Vandana, Shivatandab, Krishnakalingam Nartanam and Natavar Tarani Taranga. The accompanists were Kiran Kumar on flute, Lavanya Sundram on Carnatic vocal and Baanna Bhasker Rao with Mridangam. The festival memento was handed over to him by Enam Ahmed Chowdhury.
Following the dance number was a lecture on music and spirituality by Alimur Rahman Khan.
The second performance of the night was by Ganesh and Kumaresh Rajagopalan (Carnatic Violin duet). They performed Raaga Mayamalavagowla, Suda Mridangam Talam Sriranjini Raagam, Raagam Talam Pallavi and Succharitra Raagam. R Sankaranarayanan accompanied the duo on Mridangam and S Krishnaswamy was on Ghatam and Utpol Roy on Tanpura. Artist Manirul Islam handed over the festival memento to the duo.
In the next performer of the night was by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who enthralled the audience with Santoor. He performed Jog Kauns, Alap, Jor Alap Jhala and composition of Ruupak and Teen Taal. Yogesh Shamsi accompanied him on Tabla and Dilip Kale on Tanpuri. Professor Rehman Sobhan handed over the festival memento to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
The next performance was by Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar. He performed Alap and Jor Alap, Jhala in Raaga Hemant. He also performed Thumri in Raaga Majh Khamaz. Subhankar Banerjee accompanied him in the performance.
Former chief justice Tafazzol Islam handed over the festival memento to Pandit Tejendra Narayan majumdar.
Ustad Zakir Hussain performed Teen Taal on tabla. His performances on Tabla mimicked different kinds of sounds like that of Damru, Lahoree Gawt, conversation between two friends, rains, thunderstorms, etc. Sabir Khan accompanied him on the Sarengi. The festival mementos to Ustad Zakir Hussain and Sabir Khan were handed over to them by Asaduzzaman Noor, the cultural affairs minister and Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation.
The final performance of the night was by Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, who rendered Khayal. He performed Komal Rishabh Ashabori, Vairab Bahar and Thumri in Raaga Vairabi. Accompanying the artiste were Pandit Suresh Talwalkar on Tabla, Sudhir Nayek on Harmonium and Talha Bin Shams and Sameehan Kashalkar on Tanpura. The festival memento was handed over to him by Dr Shafquat Hussain Khundkar.
The fifth and last day’s performances will start at 7pm on December 1. It includes Dhamar by Geetobitan Bangladesh: Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury and troupe; Bharatnatyam by Vidushi Alarmel Valli; Surbahar by Irshad Khan; Khayal by Sameehan Kashalkar; Sitar by Ustad Shujaat Khan; Khayal by Ustad Rashid Khan; Flute by Hariprasad Chaurasia.
The audience can enjoy quality food and beverages at the festival from various stalls. There are stalls offering ICE Media magazines and books published by Bengal Publications, Daily Star Books and Prothoma. Aranya, Bengal Cafe, the Bengal Film Development Forum and BRAC Bank ATMs are also present at the festival grounds. There is a Wi-Fi zone just for the journalists.
The festival is organised by Bengal Foundation and presented by Square group, supported by BRAC Bank Ltd, powered by Robi Axiata Ltd. ICE Today, ICE Business Times, Bengal Barota as media partners, and Maasranga TV (Bangladesh) as broadcast partner. Also, Le Meridien Dhaka is the hospitality partner; Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay and Bengal Digital are associating the event. Overall support is provided by Perfect Harmony Production Singapore along with Blues Communications who are in charge of event management.
For the last three years, the Bengal Classical Music Festival has been the largest classical music event in the subcontinent showcasing performances from over two hundred classically trained singers and dancers. With the goal to popularise and perpetuate the practice of classical music, this festival will go on till December 2.
