The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nokia Baishakhi Fusion Concert

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Pahela Baishakh is one of our main festivals. It has a rich tradition in Bengali culture. It is the only festival, which transcends the religious barrier. To celebrate the Baishakhi festival, music plays a very important role. Music and Baishakhi festival are closely related to each other. If a concert is organised the festival becomes a joyful celebration and it is highly appreciated when there is a performance of fusion music.

In Bangladesh, there is a tradition of organising concerts to celebrate the day of Pahela Baishakh. For this reason, different entertainment houses and organisations regularly organise such concerts to celebrate the day.

The Nokia Baishaki Fusion Concert was one like them. But it was more than just a concert as it was a festival of sorts bringing together music and all the traditional elements of a Pahela Baishakh fair. The stalls were featuring the traditional Bangladeshi activities like 'Putul Naach' and 'Nogordola' rides along with traditional foods like 'Panta-Bhat' (watered rice) with Hilsha fish and 'Pitha Payesh'.

To celebrate Pahela Baishakh Rupkotha Productions Ltd in association with Nokia organised this concert titled 'Nokia Baishakhi Fusion Concert' at the Gulshan Youth Club Ground in the capital on April 14. RTV and Radio Foorti were the cosponsor of the concert.

The concert was started at noon where two bands of the Independent Artists Club (IAC), an initiative by Nokia to promote upcoming music talents in the country, 'Biloy' and 'Karnival' were taking place on the stage.

The both bands with unique sounds and different approaches set the mood for fusion music. The unconventional sound of 'Biloy' was heard to place yet exciting. Following them was the original maestro of fusion himself, Ornob, with some classic Ornob tracks, which were always crowd pleasures.

Bands 'Yaatri' and 'Oronyo' performed next.

Yaatri with their folk music were next followed by 'Raaga' with the vocal styling of Elita with their soothing melodies. Raaga performed their original song 'Brishti.' The band also sang the traditional Baishakhi song 'Esho, Esho, Esho Hey Baishakh.' Then the band 'Raaga' wrapped up the performance with their popular song 'Kothaye.'

Artcel always firm favourites with all crowds sang 'Poth Chola' and 'Bhul Jonmo.' It performed their songs 'Chileykothar Shepai,' 'Dukhkho Bilash,' 'Odekha Sworgo'. The band also performed a cover of the Nazrul Sangeet 'Durgom Giri Kantar Moru.'

Next on the stage was Arnob. Arnob opened his performance with the song 'Onek Duur,' the opening song of his latest album 'Doob.'

Setting the bar high his new songs were both lyrically profound but also musically experimental.

The other songs performed by Arnob included 'Tomar Jonyo' and one of his most popular compositions 'Se Je Boshey Achhey Eka Eka.'

The concert also included a performance by Miles. Miles opened their performance with the song 'Chand Tara.' Other songs performed by Miles included 'Jatiyo Sangeet-er Ditiyo Line,' 'Neela,' 'Dhiki Dhiki' and 'Firiye Dao.'

Ending of the concert the last performer of the day was James. The rocker opened his performance with the song 'Diwana Diwana.'

James also sang 'Mira Bai,' 'Pagla Hawar Torey,' 'Goponey Priyar Kachhey' and 'Bhigi Bhigi.'

Apart from music, the audience was also entertained by 'Shap Khela' and 'Putul Naach.' Traditional food like 'Panta-Ilish,' 'Pitha-Payesh' and more were also available at stalls.

The event was well-attended one. Despite the heat that lingered all day, the crowd seems exuberant and excited as the concert and the festival came a close with the setting sun.

Photo: Sharif Khan

New Baishakhi albums

Cultural Reporter

Production house G Series launched 10 new CDs and VCDs in the occasion of Bangla New Year. Among them there are 5 of them are pop and Tagore songs solo album. One of the albums is a Bangla movie, one is a drama VDC and two of them are recitation album.

The album Esho He Boishakh has 12 Tagore songs by Sadi Mohammad, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Papia Sarwar and others.

The duet album titled 'Bohoman' is by Bappa Majumder and Shantanu Bishwas. It has 10 songs altogether.

Shahed new album is titled 'Classroom a Boshe Shekha'. It has 10 songs. The songs are written and tuned by Shahed as well. The audience will find his own style in the songs of this album.

Another solo titled 'Anushochonar Naam valobasha' is by Shohan shumon. This album has 12 songs.

The audience will surely like the mixed album titled 'Rongberonger Manush'. Fahmida Nabi, Shampa reza, Partha Barua, late Shanjib Chowdhury, Tomal, Kaniz Shubarna and others are vocal 11 songs of this album. There is an instrumental track beside the songs. The other mixed album is titled 'Antorale'.

The vocals of this album are Bappa Majimder, Fahmida Nabi, Khalid, S I tutul, sharmin Roma. The VCD of the movie is titled 'Eri Naam Valobasha' directed by Niranjan Bishwas. And the drama is titled 'Passport' directed by Redwan Rony.

Shihab elected as the Jury of Don Quizt Award

Culture Desk

Shihab Ahmed Shiraji has been elected as one of the jury board members of Don Quizt Award of 11th Christiansand International Children Film Festival to be held on 22-27 April 2008 in Christiansand, Norway. Shihab is the 4th year student of Department of Law, Dhaka University and has been working as the General Secretary of Bioscope Cholochchitra Shongshod and as the Assistant programmer of International Film Festival (Bangladesh) for last 4 years.

Joya in three characters

Culture Desk

Joya Ahsan acted in three different characters in a drama serial titled 'Antorikkha'. Joya said, 'It's a very interesting character. In the drama a girl tells stories and the characters change according to her stories.

It's difficult to act in three characters in the same drama but I could go in the deep side of the characters as I studied them carefully. Sometimes I had to act in different characters on the same day while shooting it. I hope the audience will like my acting.'

Joya is interested acting in telefilms but she is reluctant to act in drama serials. Joya said, 'I was not interested to act in drama serials as it takes a lot of time and there is no variation on scripts. But now I am getting different types of plots and that's why I have started acting in drama serials again.'

-