A blend of traditions, diversity of instruments and fusion of genre—that is Lokkhi Terra, an UK-based Bangla band. The members of the band recently came to rock the international music festival in Dhaka which ended on Saturday at Sultana Kamal Women Complex in Dhanmondi.
The band performed on both days of the festival. They performed some stunning fusion on some hit numbers like Tumi Eshechhile Porshu, Amai Proshno Kore Nil Dhrubotara, Shaadher Lao, Bondhur-e, Bhromor etc. A combination of dhol and drums, guitar and do tara, flute and saxophone—it was perhaps the ultimate reach of music.
The phenomenon reminded us of the fact that this was the band that had crossed in Bangladesh to the streets of Havana, via some districts in Lagos on to a bustling club in London. Yes, it was possible for Lokkhi Terra to dazzle any group of audience from the remote villages to the posh clubs.
The band has been spreading the rich Bengali music fortified with Latin beats from UK to across Europe and Asia. Lokkhi Terra is one of the projects of Bangladeshi/UK musician Kishon Khan and his team.
The band had their first live performance here in Bangladesh in 2009 at the closing ceremony of SAARC games. Music lovers here just loved their funky fusion on timeless songs of rural Bangla in a new style.
Within the span of 3 years, the band has gained huge popularity and exposure to the audience of Bangladesh. The result was visible as a huge audience at the international music festival kept on calling for encores.
Kishon Khan, the bandleader and composer, told New Age in an interview, ‘We were very delighted with our first visit here. And we want to come back more’.
In 2010, Lokkhi Terra released their album No Visa Required which includes hit numbers like Nodir Kul, Mela and others.
Band line-up
Kishon Khan at piano, Rhodes, Sohini, Aanon, Gaurab and Sumel are the vocalists, Justin is on the trombone, Finn at the saxophone, Phil on guitar, Patrick on bass, Noda on Congas and Tansay on drums.
