Music organization Jaltaranga, as the name suggests, literally sends ripples across society offering stellar songs of yesteryears. Last week, the patrons and their fans celebrated the decade long journey through organizing a musical soiree at the Biswa Shaitya Kendra in the city.
In an era when modernity is pushing aside almost everything of the past, Bengali music of the 40s to 70s also suffered negligence, indifference and disregard though they upheld the history and our age-old traditions. The burgeoning western music, with its loud and often cacophonous sound effects, made it difficult for the mellowed tunes of Bengali songs to survive. The placidity of the old numbers with poetic lyrics and lilting tune began to fall out of favor of the young generation as they preferred foreign and western-influenced Bengali songs. The form and character of the traditional Bengali songs were sent into the grinder of wanton fusion and synthesis thereby hastening their demise.
Amidst such a dismal environment, a handful of musical organizations in the country worked selflessly to keep the gems of the past shining through presenting those enduring songs before appreciative audiences in private groups.
Jaltaranga is one such small endeavor that believes good songs are not mere music but also meditation, as they impart messages of love, dedication, unity, equality, environment, sacrifice and patriotism. These songs imbibe the ideals of love for life and peaceful living. They help the listeners immerse in the richness of the undiluted sa re ga ma pa of the sub-continental music.
Jaltaranga strongly believes that good music can help mould the minds of the listeners who would support and work for the creation of a secular and democratic Bangladesh.
Jaltaranga recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Since inception, the organization hosted 45 musical programs that were graced by guests like Shujay Shayam, Ali Zaker, Sadi Mohammad, Ashfaqur Rahman Khan, Asaduzzaman Nur, Prof. Sherajul Islam Chowdhury, Samarjeet Roy, Ramendu Majumdar, Linu Billah, Zeenat Rehana, Showkat Hayat Khan and many others.
