Amidst a glitzy ceremony and lots of fanfare, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Celebration Concert was held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday.
Alongside renowned local artists, Oscar-winning Indian composer A R Rahman and Senegalese-American R&B and hip hop artist Akon lit up the concert with their vibrant displays. Although not a part of the International Cricket Council’s plans for the upcoming World Twenty20 2014, the concert was staged by the BCB to create hype among the Bangladeshi people ahead of the fifth edition of the global T20 event.
About 18,000 people thronged to the big bowl to witness the concert, which got underway with a performance by local artists Arnob and Friends.
Local rock band Souls then presented three tracks, including two of their well-known songs, Mon Shudhu Mon Chuechey and Keno Ei Nishshongota.
Another local rock band, LRB, followed up Souls’ presentation with three of their famous tracks as well.
Then came the attractive part of the event: elaborate dance recitals featuring 90 dancers under the choreography of Warda Rihab.
The dancers performed to the tune of the welcome song of the event, Urchhe Shantir Payra, sung by Fuad Al Muktadir and Kona.
The 90 dancers also performed on four more tracks: Shadher Lau by Runa Laila, O Majhi Nao Chhaira De by Sabina Yasmin, Ektara Bajaiyo Na by Kumar Bishwajit and Morar Kokile by Momtaz.
BCB president Nazmul Hasan then took to the stage to deliver a speech. State minister for youth and sports, Biren Sikder, and finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith also spoke on the occasion.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina then declared the ICC World T20 2014 Bangladesh officially open during her brief speech.
The crowd then suddenly gave a boisterous round of applause signalling the arrival of A R Rahman. Rahman performed some of his popular tracks from the movies Fanaa, Yuva, Guru, Rockstar and Dil Se.
Rahman’s team consisted of several singers, instrument players, and light and sound engineers.
Last it was Akon’s turn to grace the stage. The Senegalese-American singer sang some of his most famous tunes, including Smack That and You’re So Beautiful.
A 10-minute fireworks display also enthralled the spectators and, in the end, the colourfulness of the ceremony papered over some doubts that had developed.
The expensive tickets and beefed-up security around the stadium premises were causes of suffering among the crowd, but at the end of the day, Rahman and Akon’s performances and the local artists’ displays left the crowd somewhat content and satisfied.
Meanwhile, Hamin Ahmed, a member of the popular Bangladeshi band Miles, took to Facebook to complain that his group had been prevented from making their scheduled appearance on stage at the concert because LRB performed for 40 minutes instead of the planned 20. Hamin blamed event organisers Grey and LRB front man Ayub Bacchu for the incident.
-With New Age input
