Samina Chowdhury sings at the concert. PHOTO: MUMIT M.On August 9, TSC auditorium, Dhaka University (DU) was packed to its full capacity as students and teachers came together to attend a grand musical event titled Mayer Jonyo Gaan.
The event organised by "Dhaka Bishwabidyalay Paribar" was a fundraiser for Hamida Begum, mother of Abdullah Al Rafi Shakil, a student of Philosophy, DU. Shakil is the only child of his parents.
"My mother has been always there for me whenever I needed her. She has been the source of my greatest inspirations, my teacher, my mentor, my best friend and more, I have no one else but her," said Shakil.
A teacher of Fulbari Girls' High School, Hamida Banu is currently undergoing treatment at Delta Hospital, Mirpur. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the doctors, the estimated cost of her treatment is around Tk 4 lakh, a sum her family cannot manage to come up with.
Dr S.M.A. Faiz, Vice Chancellor, DU along with Dr Harun-ur-Rashid, Dean of Arts Faculty and others inaugurated the event at 2:30 pm.
The first artiste to perform was Subir Nandi. Subir Nandi sang four songs – Din jay katha thakey, Tomar path-er paney, Tumi nirmolo koro and Pritibitey prem boley kichhu nei.
The band Bedouin opened its performance with a cover of the popular Elton John song Sacrifice. Other songs performed by the band included Swapno urey swapno norey, Laal shirt and Chhaya manob.
Next on stage was Mohakaal. The band performed Tumi bolechhiley amar haat dhorey, Camellia haatey ei shondhaye, Kuashaye dhaka ei shohor and Ekla durer path dhorey. Their performance was followed by Prometheus.
Sisters Samina Chowdhury and Fahmida Nabi both performed at the concert
Samina opened her performance with the recent popular song Shomoy jeno katey na. Other songs rendered by Samina included Bhalo lagey chaand, Oi jhinuk phota, Kobita porar prohor and Amaye deko na. Samina also performed songs on special request from the audience including the classic Shat bhai champa. Samia said, "Now there is cure for breast cancer if detected at the early stages." The artiste's mother was also a patient but has completely recovered.
Singer Agun performed Ei jaala ar praney, Baba bolechhey chheley naam korbey and other popular songs.
Next on stage was the band Raaga. Performance by the band included covers of classics Moina go, Amaye proshno korey and their original compositions Brishti, Ahobaan and kothaye.
Fahmida Nabi, a former student of Philosophy, DU, became very emotional during her performance. She prayed for the quick recovery of Shakil's mother. Performance by Fahmida Nabi included the hit number Lukochuri lukochuri golpo, Mon-e ki porey na, Akash hobo and Duer dwip bashini from the movie Daruchini dwip.
The event wrapped up with a performance by Artcell (the first performance by the band in 4 months).
The daily Prothom Alo and Radio Today were media partners of the event.
