Sadarang's National Music Conference begins

Aiming at popularising practice of classical music among the young generation, the 19th National Classical Music Conference 2016 began at Chittagong District Shilpakala Academy in the port city on Wednesday evening.

In association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bengal Foundation, Sadarang Uchchanga Sangeet Parishad Bangladesh organised the music conference which has been dedicated to Sur-Samrat Ustad Allauddin Khan.

This year, a total of 24 artistes from Bangladesh and India are taking part at the conference.

On February in 1998, Sadaranga Uchchanga Sangeet Parishad Bangladesh commenced its Journey with organising the first conference with an aim to rear, practice, circulate and spread of classical music. Ustad Swarnamoy Chakraborty with his few disciples started the activities. After five years, country's famed scientist and cosmologist Professor Emeritus Jamal Nazrul Islam joined himself with the organisation and from then he held the post of the President of the organisation till his death on March 16, 2013.

The conference began with a 20-minute choral performance by the artistes of Sadarang Uchchanga Sangeet Parishad Bangladesh in Raga Basanta, composed by Swarnamoy Chakraborty.

Earlier, Abul Khair, chairman of Bengal Foundation, formally inaugurated the classical music conference where Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor addressed the conference as the special guest. Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury presided over the programme. Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondal spoke as special guest.

In his speech, Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said everybody should practice literature, culture, music and theatre, in order to be a complete human being.

“This kind of practices can create meaning of life. If we limit our life in only achieving GPA-5 or good results, then it will not help anyone to be a complete person”, Noor said.

Expressing his gratitude to the organisers of the conference, Bengal Foundation' Chairman Abul Khair said it is a hard task for any organisation to continue a conference for 19 years. But Sadarang has done it. “I am an optimist. It makes me feel good when I see 50,000 people gather at Army Stadium to enjoy classical music,” said Abul Khair. He urged the all private channels to air a one-hour classical music programme in a day.

The music episode started with the choral rendition of “Rumajhum Baje Payelia”. Later, Lipu Das presented raga Bhupali. Rajib Chakraborty and Pramit Barua accompanied on tabla and harmonium with him.

Following the performance, Rajrupa Chowdhury took the stage and presented alap in raga Jaijaiwanti on her sarod. Her subtle works received applause from the audience. Later, she performed raga Tilok Kamod.  Parimal Chakraborty from India accompanied on tabla with her.

Malabika Das performed two Ragas – Nayaki Kanada and Desh.

The first day of the conference concluded with the performance by Ahmed brothers. Kamrul Ahmed's flute, Shanta Ahmed's violin and Sabuj Ahmed's tabla playing kept the audience spellbound. The three were outstanding when the performance got speed in the last portion of the piece on raga Yaman.