In order to promote the rich cultural diversity of South Asian countries and to exchange and strengthen cultural bonds among the countries in the region, an organisation named South Asian Music Institute has been founded recently.
The institution began its journey through the first South Asian Music Festival on Friday at the Bangladesh National Museum auditorium. The festival was marked by music and dance recitals and seminar presentation by artistes from different countries and diverse ethnicities.
Gowher Rizvi, advisor of foreign affairs to the prime minister, HK Shrestha, ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Sharif Ashrafuzzaman, convener of the festival, Dr Abul Azad, member secretary of the institute and several other important personalities were present at the inaugural festival.
‘For war, we need guns, bullets and bombs and for peace we need music, poetry and others. The institute will be a step towards peace’, Gowher Rizvi expressed his hopes.
The festival began with the national anthem presented by the artistes of Gonosangeet Samannay Parishad before a full-hall audience. As the theme country of the festival was Nepal, national anthem of Nepal was also presented by a number of Nepalese students who study in Bangladesh.
Artistes of Chittagong-based cultural troupes Swapnil Shilpigoshthi presented colourful dance recitals synchronised with patriotic and traditional songs- Protidin Tomay Dekhe Surja Uthe and Malka Banur Deshe.
People’s song troupe Wrishiz Shilpigoshthi entertained the audience with two popular songs- Bhoy Ki Morone and Manusher Majhe Bosobas.
Local singer Mostary Parveen Tina presented a few songs of diverse genres. She began with a patriotic Tagore song O Amar Desher Mati, followed by Nazrul’s Priyo Jai Jai Bolona and modern song Chanchala Hawa.
Singer Sharif Ashrafuzzaman sang Tumi Sandhyakasher Tarar Moto. Bulbul Mohalanobish sang Hason Raja’s popular song Loke Bole.
Kolkata-based singer Taposhi Roy Chowdhury presented songs of the Rarh Bongo region. Her presentation of Laal Shaluker Phute Phul and Siron Bajilo amused the audience.
Tripura-based artiste Sucharita Bhowmick presented a devotional song Jago Shanti Jago Moitree. Artistes of ethnic minorities of the country also performed at the programme.
Earlier, Dr Anu Mahmud presented his keynote paper titled Dakkhin Asio Sangeet: Banglagaaner Baishishtyo (South Asian Music: Characteristics of Bangla Music).
In his well-informed paper, Mahmud focused the trajectory of Bangla music, its not-well-known origin, slightly known musical practices in the period of the Indus Valley civilisation, post-Indus music, Vedic and post-Vedic music, impact of foreign music on Bangla music, rise and development of ragas and the modern diversity of Bangla music.
-With New Age input
