Musical event helps trace classical heritage

DHAKA: A bond that takes you back to your roots and helps you grow stronger should be nurtured. Taking this motto forward, the Bengal Foundation of Dhaka and the ITC-SRA of Kolkata have forged a unique partnership, that of helping each other preserve indigenous music of Bengal.
On Friday, more than 10,000 people at the Army auditorium were left mesmerized as Ustad Rashid Khan performed his signature Puriya Dhaneshree.
Khan performed as part of the ongoing four-day classical music festival at Dhaka, which is a debut to this musical partnership. The second innings of the musical fest, Bengal Sanskriti Sammelan, will be held on the SRA's Tollygunj campus from February 8 onwards. While the hint is on classical music this time that saw performances by Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Kaushiki Desikan and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the upcoming event will focus on Bengali music from the two sides.
Though octogenarian Dasgupta had to be helped on to the stage, the moment he touched his sarod, music flowed like a fountain. Kaushiki Desikan, the gifted daughter of Ajoy Chakraborty, was also able to evoke that involuntary "wah!" from the audience who thought that she was too mature a singer for her age.
"Though Bangladesh has been able to make Bengali music a part of the life of the common man, we are sadly wanting when it comes to classical music, despite the fact that Hindusthani Raag sangeet was part of our heritage too. So we signed this MoU with ITC-SRA," said Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation.
As far as the Kolkata event is concerned, a host of performers from Bangladesh will be flown to the city for performances in Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrulgeeti, songs by DL Roy, folk music from the different districts of Bangladesh and songs of Lalan Fakir.
"These are not going to be just annual events. After the February festival in Kolkata, we have worked out several initiatives that will keep adding to the re-forged cultural relationship between the two countries," Khair added.
The most important part of this relationship will be the beginning of a Bengal Foundation chapter in Kolkata towards the beginning of the year and an SRA like academy in Dhaka to propagate classical music. While the Bengal Foundation will set up this academy, the gurus who will teach music to students in Dhaka and the courses to be followed will all be given by SRA.
"We are also working towards starting a bi-monthly classical programme in association with SRA that will tour different districts of Bangladesh," said Luva Nahid Chowdhury, director general of Bengal Foundation. SRA is also helping the foundation to set up Bengal Parampara, a music academy in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka.
The February music festival in Kolkata will have a separate fine arts side to it as there would be an art mela and an open workshop where more than 150 painters from across the country will paint together. The art mela is likely to be attended by top artists like Jogen Chowdhury and Samir Aich.
A relationship needs to be cherished and nurtured, especially if it is a relationship that helps to take you to your roots; together you grow stronger. Taking this motto forward, the Bengal Foundation of Dhaka and the ITC-SRA of Kolkata have forged a unique partnership, that of helping each other preserve indigenous music of Bengal that has been the heritage of both the sides for over 1000 years. The ongoing four day classical music festival at Dhaka is a debut to this relationship, the second chapter of which will happen at the SRA's sprawling Tollygunj campus in February. A unique Bengal Sanskriti Sammelan, a seven day music festival, has been planned from February 8 onwards, by the two cultural partners. While the hint is on classical music this time, the focus will then be on Bengali music from the two sides.
A host of performers from Bangladesh will be flown in to Kolkata for performances in Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrulgeeti, songs by DL Roy, folk music from the different districts of Bangladesh and songs of Lalan Fakir. These will be supplemented with similar performances by artists from Kolkata.
"We hope that the whole of Kolkata enjoys this initiative, as much as the whole of Dhaka is enjoying the ongoing classical music festival. These are not going to be just annual events. After the February festival in Kolkata, we have worked out several initiatives that will keep adding to the re-forged cultural relationship between the two countries," said Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation.
This organisation has been working to preserve the cultural heritage of Bangladesh and feels that since both West Bengal and Bangladesh share the same roots, the two sides should work together for better results. "Though Bangladesh has been able to make Bengali music a part of the life of the common man, we are sadly wanting when it comes to classical music, despite the fact that Hindusthani Raag sangeet was part of our heritage too. So we signed this MoU with ITC-SRA, which has been tgrying to promote and nurture classical music in Kolkata and the rest of India for a long time," Khair added.
The most important part of this relationship will be the beginning of a Bengal Foundation chapter in Kolkata towards the beginning of the year and an SRA like academy in Dhaka to propagate classical music here. While the Bengal Foundation will set up this academy, the gurus who will teach music to students in Dhaka and the courses to be followed will all be given by SRA. "We are also working towards starting a bi-monthly classical programme in association with SRA that will tour different distyricts of Bangladesh. We want a re-awakening in Bangladesh towards classical genre of music and that will not happen if we restrict our events only to Dhaka," said Luva Nahid Chowdhury, director general of Bengal Foundation. SRA is also helping the Fioundation to set up the Bengal Parampara, a music Academy in Savar at the outskirts of Dhaka.
The February music festival in Kolkata will have a separate fine arts side to it as there would be an art mela, an open workshop where more than 150 painters from across the country will paint together. The art mela is likely to be attended by top artists like Jogen Chowdhury and samir Aich. "To follow up on this gala music festival, we are also planning to tour Delhi, Ajmer, Agra, Vrindavan and Pushkar with classical performing artists from across the country. Elaborate programmes are being organised in these cities," said Ravi Mathur, managing director of ITC-SRA.
In the meantime, Friday's night long programme enthralled the audience. More than 10,000 people sat in pin drop silence at the army auditorium as Ustad Rashid Khan performed his signature puriya dhaneshree. "We've heard him in the Hindi film Jab We Met. We knew that he is one of the best vocalists that vIndia has today, but you cannot imagine the depth and volume of this amazing singer till you hear him life," said Nazia Ashraf, a college teacher who had come from Khulna only to listen to Rashid Khan.
The night turned magical, or should we say mystical thereafter. The octogenarian Buddhaded Dasgupta had to be helped on to the stage but the moment he touched his sarod, music flowed like a fountain. Kaushiki Desikan, the gifted daughter of Ajoy Chakraborty was able to evoke that involuntary "wah!" from the audience who thought that she was too mature a singer for her age. And finally when Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma played his santoor, it seemed like manna from heaven, relieving you of all your worries and stress.