The event began with a choral rendition of a patriotic song Joi hok joi hok by all 20 contestants. The panel of judges included Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das and seasoned Nazrul artistes Shaheen Samad, Sadya Afreen Mallick, Ferdaus Ara and Sumon Chowdhury. Each contestant performed two songs (one chosen by the judges).

The first contestant to take the stage, Showbhik Roy from Rajshahi, performed Borosha oi elo borosha (khayal) and Shonar hindoley kishore kishori doley (jhulon). It is unfortunate that some aspiring Nazrul artistes often get the notion that the more vocal 'twists and turns' one performs, his/her expertise in classical music becomes more apparent. This erroneous concept has started a trend of misplaced or prolonged mudki in Nazrul songs, ruining the mizaaj (nuance). This was evident in Showbhik's performance.

Mohammad Arifuzzaman from Khulna, sang E kunjey pothbhuley and Poro poro chaitali shajey. Alif Laila Moushumi, a student of Rajshahi University, performed E kon maya-e pheliley amaye.

Anindita Chowdhury began with Riniki jhiniki bajey payela. It was an immaculate rendition of a naat (judges' choice) -- Aai moru parer haowa that made her performance stand out. The devotion, the fervour of an ummat in the song was aptly delineated.

A K M Shahid Kabir Polash performed a ghazal, Ghumaichhey phool pother dhulaye and Shurey o baanir mala diye. Iffat Tasneem Haq Orin who attained popularity as a child artiste in the early '90s, sang Na mititey shadh and a shyama sangeet, Shyama naam-er laglo agun.

Mohammad Anisur Rahman performed a thumri, Porodeshi bondhua and Padmar dheurey (folk). Sarah Naz Billah sang Kano kandey poraan. The contestant showcased her finesse with a rendition of Hridi podmey choron rakho, a kirtan.

Farhana Rahman performed Kano korun shurey and Bolo bondhuarey (kabyogeeti). Sharmin Akhter Suma performed Shey choley gechhey boley. The participant, whose nerves didn't seem to cooperate her, fumbled through the song Mon-e porey aaj. Halfway through the song, she seemed to lose control over the pace.

Dhrubo Biswas from Jessore sang Hey priyo tomar and Phooler jolshaye neerob kano kobi. Purnochandra Karmakar performed Shurey o baanir mala diye. Dolon Das from Noakhali delivered a memorable performance. His skilled vocals and effortless move through octaves made the songs -- Amar kon kool-e aaj bhirlo tori and Priyo jai jai bolo na -- enjoyable.

Nandita Dutta rendered Porodeshi megh and mor ghumoghorey eley; overuse of vocal twists was apparent in the artiste's performance. Swarna Naag sang Naiba pelam and Eki ashim piyasha.

The last contestant to perform was Champa Banik. Champa has already become a familiar name to the TV audience thanks to another popular talent hunt last year. The aspiring singer deftly performed a bhaktigeeti, Mago chinmoyi roop dhorey aye and a khayal, Hey priyo amarey debona bhulitey.

Earlier in the morning, final round of another category (songs of DL Roy, Rajnikant Sen and Atul Prasad) was held. Twenty contestants took part in the round judged by Pramila Chakravarty, Mita Haq, Neelotpal Sadhya, Parthasarathi Sikdar and Mridulkanti Chakravarty.