Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 462 Mon. September 12, 2005  
   
Culture


An evening of adhunik songs


September 10, Shaheed Zia Auditorium, National Museum: Red, blue and yellow flashing lights, a drab background and small palm trees could easily confuse one into thinking he/she is at the BTV studio to witness a recording. That however, was not the case.

A live concert was held at the venue. Two artistes -- Fahmida Nabi and Kumar Bishwajit -- who have attained immense popularity in the adhunik (modern) song genre, entertained the audience with their mellifluous, at times mushy, numbers.

Fahmida began her performance with Money ki podey na, an otherwise nice song where the timbre was a bit shaky. The singer, however warmed up quickly and rendered a tender romantic number Jodi ekbaar dako kachhey. Tunes seemed to glide effortlessly through Fahmida's crisp and clear voice. The artiste also sang Tumi ki shei tumi and Shokhi ki korey boli peeriti bhalo. The latter, performed in the kirtan style, was a treat. The singer demonstrated her skills in the song, evident in her adhunik songs.

Fahmida also sang Kobita podar prohor eshechhey raater nirjoney, a melancholy song made famous by her sister Samina Chowdhury and two songs of her father, eminent musician late Mahmud-un-nabi: Gaaneri khatae shwaralipi likhey and Shurer bhuboney ami aaj pothochari. She wrapped up her performance with a catchy 'Asha Bhosle' number, Ashbo arek din aaj jai. The song however failed to reach its potential as the instruments were out of tune with the vocalist.

Next to take the stage was Kumar Bishwajit. A competent showman, Bishwajit knows how to work the crowd. That was evident through rounds of applause and repeated requests to perform his hit numbers, throughout Bishwajit's performance. The artiste started with Jekhaney shimanto tomar, composed by Lucky Akhand. The astounding performance awed the audience. Bishwajit seemed to be in total control of his vocals and that showed through his renditions of Boshonto chhuechhey amakey, a festive song composed by Partha Borua.

Next the singer performed Nirbashon. According to the artiste, "It's a song that doesn't glorify the stereotypical emotionally dependent lover willing to achieve even the impossible for his lady love. Instead it speaks of a person in love, who won't make compromises when it comes to self-esteem." Bishwajit also sang his popular numbers such as Tumi jodi bolo Padma Meghna, O doctor, a folk number Jonmiley moritey hobey and one of his initial hits from the '80s Tumi roj bikeley amar baganey phool nitey ashtey.

The event was a fundraiser for the construction of music school Chhayanaut's new building. Incidentally, this was the 50th fundraising musical programme by Chhayanaut. Khayrul Anam Shakil, General Secretary and a teacher of the school, said, "I'm elated by the response we've received so far. I'm grateful to the audience for their support."

The programme was all in all, a crowd-puller and hopefully there would more.

Picture
Kumar Bishwajit (R) performing at the programme. PHOTO: STAR