“As the sun sets over the tranquil waters, melodies of melancholia will come together with the serene beauty of Hatirjeel.” This is how Dhaka Melancholy was advertised to its mass and what seems to be rare in similar events, they actually managed to live up to their promises.
Imagine a typical concert: an overcrowded venue, people sweating and feeling suffocated, and 500ml water bottles being sold at wild prices. In such a chaotic environment, enjoying the music becomes nearly impossible. But isn't that why we're there in the first place?
After enduring the hustle and bustle of Dhaka all week, Friday feels like our only solace. Spending it at a concert? That sounds like torture. However, Blue Brick Communications and Inkwell Enterprise, the brains and brawl behind "Dhaka Melancholy," ensured it was far from that.
At first glance, the ticket price of Tk2,000 might seem steep, but the organizers made sure the experience was worth every penny. From the outset, they had free snacks ready for every attendee and provided raincoats in case of rain.
The evening kicked off with Ahmed Hasan Sunny, who did a good job setting the tone for the rest of the event. His performance featured a range of versatile and distinctive original songs, sure to attract him a host of new fans.
Armeen Musa brought a certain vibe as she stepped onto the stage. Her charm and connecting with the audience perfectly complemented her performance. As the only female musician in the lineup, she ensured her set was truly memorable. She also took a moment to talk about the importance of more musical events like "Dhaka Melancholy," which prioritize a serene atmosphere.
The star of the show, without a doubt, was Nachiketa Chakraborty himself. From the moment he appeared, he effortlessly held our attention. His ability to engage and captivate the audience was truly unmatched.
His social and political commentary in the midst of his songs was such a treat to watch. Good music is expected from a singer but Nachiketa does not just sing, but truly entertains and performs. It felt like experiencing both brilliant music and stand-up comedy rolled into one.
A special surprise came when MP Ferdous Ahmed joined Nachiketa on stage. This reunion sparked nostalgia among the older members of the audience, as they reminisce about the old days of “Shonali Prantor” and “Hotath Brishti,” truly wholesome to see on stage.
The final performer of the evening was Shayan Chowdhury Arnob. He is a very appreciated and loved musician for the very right reasons. Arnob's music has resonated with fans for years, and for those of us who grew up listening to him, watching him perform live is a dream come true.
However, after Nachiketa’s brilliant time on stage, it felt rather lackluster to end the show with Arnob instead. Instead of Arnob following Nachiketa, the show's flow would have been better to use Arnob’s act to build momentum towards Nachiketa's peak
Esscre, which was the event’s Art Curation partner, created live paintings of the performers and revealed it afterwards. They were truly masterpieces and such a fun way to honour the artists.
Dhaka concerts are typically followed by an avalanche of complaints on social media. The organizers and management behind “Dhaka Melancholy” did everything on their end so that it’s different this time.
With such a friendly and clean environment, many felt comfortable to come with their parents, giving the older generation a chance to get away from the usual stress and lose themselves in some soulful music.
“Dhaka Melancholy” has set a standard that other event organizers should look up to. It is proof that when a group of young individuals come together, something magical can truly happen.
