Sourendro and Soumyojit to perform at Eden Gardens

The floodlights are on and the pink balls are in.

Eden Gardens

is gearing up to host the first ever Pink Test match between India and Bangladesh. Besides the cricketers of the two teams, former captains of India and Bangladesh might also grace the occasion on the opening day.

To portray the cultural legacy of Bengal in the prestigious stadium, Sourendro Mullick and Soumyojit Das will be performing on the day, along with

Runa Laila

from Bangladesh. “We will perform in a 15-minute slot, between 5.40 and 5.55 pm. Runadi will perform at 8 pm,” Soumyojit told us.

According the musician duo, Sourav Ganguly — the newly appointed BCCI president — came up with the idea. “We received a call from dada a couple of days back. He wanted us to perform on the Day 1. Our brief is to portray the music of Bengal, along with songs having a global appeal on integrity. We have prepared a mashup with songs of Tagore,

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

, DL Roy and even Satyajit Roy and others,” said Sourendro.

The duo, along with musicians Himadri Sekhar Das (drums), Soumyajyoti Ghosh (

flute

), Bishwajit Roy (tabla) and Prosun (

guitar

), have been busy rehearsing. “There are two parts — the first one is based on Desh raag and the second one is based on Bhairavi. In the first bit, we will sing a mashup of Ekla Cholo Re, Vande Mataram, Aha Ki Ananda Aakashe Batashe, Dhana Dhanyo Pushpo Bhora and others. In the second slot, we will perform the iconic, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, with a nominal influence of Jai Ho,” Soumyojit added.

The duo, along with all the musicians, will be clad in dhuti and panjabi. “It is the pristine white Bengali-style dhuti and panjabi that define us profoundly. Our attire will reflect our legacy too,” Sourendro signed off.