3-day DHAKA INT�L FOLK FEST 2015
Folk singers from home, abroad mesmerise Dhaka audience
DL reporter
Celebrated folk singers from home and abroad mesmerised the audience on the opening day of the three-day festival titled Dhaka International Folk Fest 2015 that began on Thursday evening at the Army Stadium in the capital. The first ever international folk festival in the country, presented by Meril and jointly organised by Sun Events and Maasranga Television with a view to introducing the world to the thousand-year-old folk music of the country, kicked off with a wonderful dance performance by Minu Haqs Pallabi Dance Group with a well-known folk song Nao Chharia De/ Paal Uraiya De.
On the other hand, celebrated Lalon singer Farida Parveen from home took the opportunity to sing the very first song of the festival. She fascinated the audience with the rendition of songs like Milon Hobe Koto Dinee and Somoy Gele Sadhon Hobe Na and others. Farida said during her performance, The world is passing through a period of anxiety. Now its time to distribute little peace through folk songs among the people. Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, who was the chief guest of the festival, entered the venue during the performance of Farida Parveen. Ferdousi Rahman, the daughter of late famous folk singer Abbas Uddin, was present as special guest.
Managing Director of Maasranga Television Anjan Chowdhury delivered welcome speech in the festival. He said about organising the festival, The people of pastoral Bangladesh, as well as me also, grew up listening to all these great folk songs. We are delighted to arrange such a festival like this with the thousand-year-old folk songs.
Square Group is contributing to the countrys cultural arena with organising this festival as well as being the title sponsor of the upcoming Bengal Classic Music Festival (due to start from November 27), Anjan Chowdhury added.
Afterwards, Chandona Majumdar rendered the songs titled Manush Bhojle Sonar Manush Hobi, Shah Abdul Karims song Sona Bondhu Bhuilo Na Amare, Radharaman Duttas O Jole Jaioyo Na. Then, Kiron Chandra Rays performance included the songs like Aay Dekhe Ja Jagatbasi Bangladesh Ghure, Rudro Mohammad Shahidullahs famous track Bhalo Acchi Bhalo Theko, and Antore Boiragir Lauya Bajhea song from Kishoreganj.
Then, Arko Mukhaerjee from Kolkata, came to the stage after Kiron Chandra Ray and took the Dhaka audience by storm with his enthralling performance. He expressed his feelings before beginning his performance, This is such a grand stage, where signers like Farida Parveen, Saieen Zahoor and Paban Das Baul are performing, I have no right to even stand up at the bus stand of this area.
Beginning with a Pravati song, Arko rendered a Gujrati folk song besides leaving the audience spellbound with the rendition of songs like Se Ek Rasik Pagol, Biyate Aaisachhe Palki and Allah Megh De Pani De. He even sang a French folk track during his overwhelming performance.
The opening day of the festival also included the performance of Bangladeshi singers Rob Fakir, Shafi Mondol and Labik Kamal Gaurob, Saieen Zahoor from Pakistan and Indias Papon and The East India Company.
Yesterday, the second day of the festival featured the performance of Bauliana, Baul Bhajon Khapa, Shwapnil Shojib Ruba, Nashid Kamal, Ajgar Alim, Jahir Alim Nurjahan Alim, Bari Siddiqui, Arnob Friends, Nooran Sisters, Paban Das Baul, Momotaz Begom, Yunnan Art Troupe.
Three-day festival will conclude today with the performance by Folk Dances of Bangladesh by Shadhona, Islamuddin Kissakar, Joler Gaan, Niamh Ni Charra, Parvathy Baul, Indian Ocean, Kangalini Sufia, The Manganiyars from Hamira and Abida Parveen from Pakistan. l
