Bangla Khyal Utsab held at Channel i

Channel i held its third Bangla Khyal Utsab on January 31 at their premises. The nightlong event was hosted by musicologist Azad Rahman and featured performances by around 100 veteran and budding artistes alike. Channel i Director and Head of News Shykh Seraj was present at the inauguration of the event, along with Azad Rahman and singer Ferdous Ara.

Speakers at the opening emphasised the influence of the Language Movement and the Liberation War on Bangla classical music, and the rising popularity of Bangla Khayal festival.

The festival began with a choral presentation of “Ma Ma Bole Dako” on Raga Ahir Bhoirav, followed by renditions in Ragas Miyan Ki Todi, Malkauns, Adana, Jaijaiwanti and Desh. Artistes Dr. Asit Roy, Leo J Baroi, Priyanka Gope, Kharul Anam Shakil, Shaheen Samad, Dalia Nausheen, Dr Nashid Kamal, Dr. Leena Taposhi Khan, Dada Tapon Kanti Baidya, Karim Shahabuddin and others performed khyal vocals at the programme, while Yusuf Khan performed sarod and Gazi Abdul Hakim presented a flute recital.