The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Hundreds of audience were enthralled by some three dozens of popular Bengali songs performed by eminent singers from both Bangladesh and West Bengal at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city on Friday evening.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), which is popularly known as the 'World's Local Bank,' arranged the musical evening, dubbed 'Shatabarsher Gaan' under the third phase of its '100 Years of Bengali Music' programme that enthralled the audience up to four hours.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, poet Dwijendra Lal Roy and Atulprashad were the lyricists and composers of these classic songs.

Inaugurating the musical evening and welcoming the guests, Steve Banner, chief executive officer of HSBC in Bangladesh, said the HSBC was very proud to organise such a musical function in Bangladesh.

He also expressed the hope that such an initiative would help advance the tradition of Bengali songs and culture among people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahbubur Rahman, Head, Corporate Banking of HSBC, said the previous century was a great period for the Bengali speaking people. With many historical events, the best creations in Bengali songs also happened during the period.

Rahman said they had received unprecedented responses from audience organizing two such musical evenings of '100 Years of Bengali Music' earlier.

The HSBC Bank categorized the Bengali songs of past hundred years into three phases. The songs under the first phase--from 1905 to 1950 and the second phase-from 1950 to 1970, and the third phase-from 1970 to 2005.

Dr Karunamaya Goswami and Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed selected the songs reviewing the Bengali songs of past 100 years.

The third round of the 'Shatabarsher Gaan' began with the national anthem, which was performed by the artistes of cultural organization Chayanaut. Afterward, singer Srikanta Acharya of West Bengal came to the dais and sang Tagore song 'Sudhu Tomaar Baani.'

He sang another five songs including his popular 'Amaar Sarata Din,' 'Amaye Prosno Korey' and 'Badhua Amaar Chokhe Jol Enechey.'

Renowned singers like Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Haimanti Shukla, Abdul Jabbar, Shahnaj Rahmatullah, Mitali Mukherjee, Zahir Alim, Mita Huq, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Anup Barua, Mohiuzzaman Moina, Farhana Aktar Shaal and Ronti Das enthralled the audience by singing their hit songs.

Haimanti Shukla sang her hit songs 'Ami Sukhi Hole Dukkhoi Jodi Pao Tumi,' 'Amaar Bolar Kichu Chilona,' and 'Ogo Brishti Amaar.' Runa Laila enthralled the audience by singing popular songs 'Gaanere Khathay Saralipi Likhey,' 'Anek Brishti Jhore Tumi Ele,' 'Ayre Megh Ayre,' and 'Amay Gethe Daona Maago.'

Sabina Yasmin sang her evergreen songs like 'Mon Jodi Bhenge Jai,' 'O Amaar Bangla Maa Tor,' and 'Sondharo Chaya Name Elomelo Hawa,' while Abdul Jabbar sang her popular song 'Tumi Ki Dekhecho Kabhu Jiboner Porajoy.

Shahnaj Rahmatullah sang her patriotic song 'Amaaro Deshero Matiro Gondhe,'and modern song 'Khola Janalay.'

Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Deputy Governor Murshid Kuli Khan, chief executive officers, managing directors and senior officials from different banks, eminent cultural personalities, including artistes, singers, media personalities attended the HSBC's musical evening of 100 years of Bengali songs.