World Music Day was celebrated through a fanfare on Friday at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Singers in groups and solos presented different genres of songs at the programme organised by Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
June 21 is celebrated as World Music Day across the globe with a view to promoting world music. The idea of celebrating the day was conceptualised first by American musician Joel Cohen in 1976.
Singers and theatre activists with colourful attires participated in a procession that paraded different streets of the capital.
Octogenarian singer Sushoma Das, popular for rendering Radharaman’s songs, inaugurated the programme at the National Theatre Hall in the evening. Musicologist Dr Karunamaya Goswami was present as chief guest. Director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Television M Hamid, president of Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad Tapan Mahmud, among others delivered speeches at the programme.
‘Efforts should be given to create a distinctive music style of Bangladesh based on the age old tradition. We can also take elements from the rich traditions from across the globe. But, our music must represent our nation as the national flag and national anthem of the country do,’ said Sushoma Das, who also rendered Radharamon’s songs at the programme.
Subsequently, Surer Dhara artistes presented two inspirational songs titled Jago jagore sangeet and Jethay tomar lut in chorus. Artistes of Rabirashmi, Geetisatadal, Sargam Lalitakala Academy, Bashuria, Mandira Shilpi Gosthi, Dolon Chapa Sangeet Academy, Baul Prochar Sangstha and others also presented different genres of songs.
Popular singers like Nadira Begum, Yasmin Mushtari, Mahadev Ghosh, Suman Chowdhury and others presented different genres of songs such as traditional song, Nazrul song and Tagore song at the programme.
-With New Age input
