The event took shape through the untiring efforts of HSBC Bank, the organiser and sponsor of the event. Titled 'Shotoborsher Bangla Gaan' (Hundred Years of Bangla Songs) it was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center last Friday.

This was the second such extensive initiative by HSBC to celebrate the last 100 years of Bangla music.

Bengal has been the hub of countless talented composers, lyricists and singers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, DL Roy, Atul Prasad, Rajnikant to Radha Romon, Pronob Rai, Shalil Chowdhury, Abdul Latif and many more during the last 100 years.

With an impressive line up of 20 artistes that included Syed Abdul Hadi, Abdul Jabbar, Sabina Yasmeen, Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna, Mita Huque, Ferdous Ara, Lucky Akhand, Kumar Biswajeet, Indramohon Rajbonshi, Mitali Mukherjee and more, the audience swung to the melodies of the golden era. The concert featured 40 songs (three from each decade), selected by Dr Karunamaya Goswami and Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed.

After a welcome speech by corporate banking head of HSBC, Mahbub-ur-Rahman; Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Korunamaya Goswami and CEO of the bank, Steve Banner, also gave short speeches.

The choral rendition of our National Anthem, written in 1905 by Tagore, was followed by an orchestrated composition Aji Bangladesher Hridoy Hotey with traditional instruments such as esraj, dotara, sitar, sarod, flute, dhol etc, that created a wave of patriotic sentiment in the concert hall.

Next in line was DL Roy's iconic song Dhono dhanyo pushpey bhora by Mita Haq, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Mahiuzzaman Chowdhury and others. The drift of nationalism among the poets and musicians during the early 1900s made way for scores of magnificent patriotic songs. Songs from that era Mayer deya mota kapor (of Rajanikant Sen) by Mita Haq and Moder gorob moder asha (of Atul Prasad), a choral rendition captured the sentiment thoroughly.

Sumon Majumdar and Ferdous Ara sang romantic Nazrul songs. Mohiuzzaman presented the song -- Diner sheshey ghumer deshey. This was followed by two more Tagore songs by Bonna.

Upcoming singer Nirjhor Chowdhury received a warm response as he sang Tumi aaj koto durey.

A gripping choral rendition of Mukhtir mondir shopano toley, composed during 1926-35, took the audience to the tumultuous days of revolt against the British Raj. Then came Indramohon with a folk song Shain parey tor boshot bari.

Mid '60s saw the popularity of television soar in our country. Syed Abdul Hadi selected a song of that era Kichhu bolo followed by Salil Chowdhury's popular composition Shat bhai Champa, performed by Samina Chowdhury. Bashir Ahmed performed two of his popular songs Onek shadher moina and Amakey poratey jodi. Upcoming talent and last year's Closeup 1 contestant Sonia performed Chhaya hoye tobu pashey roibo.

Shahnaz Rahmatullah sang Tomar aguney porano and an all-time favourite Jey chhilo dristir shimanay that received a round of applause.

The final segment of the event included Osru diye lekha e gaan by Sabina Yasmeen, Nishi raat by Samina Chowdhury and Shona shona, a choral rendition composed by Abdul Latif.

Inspirational song, Purbo digantey (written by Gobindo Haldar), aired from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, during our Liberation War, was presented next. Abul Jabbar presented an emotive rendition of Salam salam hajar salam, a homage to the martyrs of the Language Movement and the Liberation War.

The programme wrapped up with songs of Mitali Mukherjee (now settled in Mumbai), Lucky Akhand and Kumar Biswajeet.

Mitali presented Ei duniya akhon tho aar and Haraano diner moto. As Lucky Akhand performed his romantic ditty Ei neel monihar there was hardly anyone who didn't join in. Kumar Biswajeet then performed Jekhaney shimanto tomar.

Minutes away from midnight, the six-hour concert came to an end with the song Je matir bukey by Syed Abdul Hadi.

Once more HSBC deserves kudos for taking up a mammoth task. Hopefully this trend will continue to inspire more such initiatives.