Sangskritik Kendra—noted Khayal singer Azad Rahman’s classical music organisation, received the lifetime achievement award at this year’s nightlong ‘Bangla Khayal Utsab 2016. The festival was aired live on Channel i from the night of January 31 to the morning of February 1 from the channel’s premises. Channel i director and head of news Shykh Seraj handed over the award to Azad Rahman on behalf of the organisation, while eminent music exponent Salauddin Ahmed and Ferdous Ara and managing director of Channel i Faridur Reza Sago were present, among others.
After the award giving ceremony, the main programme was started with the chorus performance of the song ‘Apon Bhashay Apon Surey’. Then, led by music maestro Azad Rahman, noted singers Kahirul Anam Shakil, Shaheen Samad, Dr Asit Rai, Salauddin Ahmed, Ustad Leo Je Baroi, Ustad Karim Shahabuddin, Dr Nashid Kamal, Leena Taposhi Khan, Dalia Nowshin, Priyanka Gope and Alif Laila, among others performed in the Khayal soiree. Besides, Firoz Khan presented sitar performance, Yusuf Khan gave sarod performance and Gazi Abdul Karim played flute.   l