Radharaman Festival At Shilpakala
Singers from Sylhet move Dhaka audience
Though Radharaman’s songs are very popular to the urban audience, the open air programme on Friday at Shilpakala gave a new experience to the urban ears: the essence of the mystic songs was transported through the soulful presentation of the traditional singers from the greater Sylhet region.
The presentation of the singers may sound a bit rustic and raw but was pleasing and emotion-laden in the songs of the leading bard of the kirtan tradition Radharaman Dutt, who upholds the urge for the union with God in mystic songs through the myth of Radha and Krishna.
The blending of Bhaisnabism and tinge of Sufism has a magnetic quality in Radharaman’s kirtans known as ‘dhamail songs’.
Dance recitals presented by the artistes synchronised with Radharaman’s songs such as Nataraj and Bhorer Pakhi added more colour to the festival.
The third Radharaman festival was organised jointly by the Sylhet based Radharaman Sangskriti Charcha Kendra and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy marking the 97th death anniversary of Radharaman Dutt (1833–1915).
Octogenarian singer Chandrabati Roy Burman, a torch bearer of dhamail tradition, inaugurated the festival on Friday. Professor emeritus Rafiqul Islam, as the chief guest, and Ramedu Majumdar, as special guest, spoke on Radharaman at the programme, which was presided over by Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of BSA.
The octogenarian singer Chadrabati Roy Burman presented five songs at the programme. She started her performance with a very popular Radharaman’s song titled Amar shym bin-e prano bachena.
The audience was moved by her melodious rendition that perfectly incorporated the sentiment of the lonely Radha’s urge to reunite with Krishna. Truly, her exceptional voice modulation seemed perfect to carry out the similar sentiment narrated in other songs such as Sukh hoilo na kalar pirit-e, Dekha hob-e shyam ar kotodine.
Another octogenarian singer Sushama Das was similarly melodious and enthralling. The audience enjoyed her soulful presentation of sentimental songs such as Tumi aso na kene roser brindabone, Nagor jignasi tomar-e and Shonogo poran.
As Himangshu Biswas started Radharaman’s popular song Guru upay balo na, the enthusiastic audience began to sing the song with the singer. The audience also enjoyed his presentation of songs like Ar jala dio na bashi, Nari kule jonmo and others.
Tonwi Dev, Akram Ali, Palok Adhikari, Swapno Debnath, Lovely Loskor, Surja Laal, Amir Ali and others also entertained hundreds of audience at the day-long programme that continued till the chilly night.
‘Radharaman’s songs are sweet and melodious. The presentation of the traditional singers was unique. I thank the organisers for arranging such festival’ said Rabindra Gope, who devoured the songs till the end.
‘It was an enjoyable evening listening to Radharaman’s songs’, said Hasanul Banna, another audience.
-With New Age input
