After performing in three concerts in three consecutive years in Dhaka, French-Lebanese musician Abaji has become the darling of the music lovers in the city. Being around Abaji, whose openness is exemplary, is an instantly heartwarming experience. He performed Saturday night in at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka and within a few minutes, had the crowd responding, singing along, clapping, and dancing as enthusiastically as if the barrier of language did not exist. Undoubtedly this relationship with the audience depended entirely on Abaji’s personality.
The multi talented instrumentalist swayed the audience by playing one piece after another titled "For a cloud" played on a bamboo clarinet, "Traveller" and "Farâché" played on the oud-guitar. Honouring the Dhaka audience, he made a special piece, "Happy Dhaka," which he performed on a bouzouki (Greek long neck lute) with Bangladeshi flute player Musarrat Jabeen Rahman.
He played "Funny Rhythm" on djembe and mouth harp accompanied by Philip on the traditional instrument khamak.
The special concert marking the occasion of “Fête de la Musique 2014” globally known as the World Music Day also included local Baul musicians Rob Fakir and Baby Dewan on vocals, Nazrul on harmonium, Shafique, Paran on khamak and dhol and Jalal on flute.
Later, on the show, Abaji's collaboartion with the Bauls proved that music has no boundaries.
Born in Beirut, with parents born in Turkey but with Armenian, Greek and Syrian origins, Abaji has a multicultural background that enables him to play different types of music in multiple languages. The concert transported the audience to an eclectic musical world.
