Enchanting violin music in port city

An enchanting musical soiree featuring performances by violinists of the port city was held at Theatre Institute Chittagong (TIC) on Friday.

In observance of its fourth founding anniversary and to commemorate Chittagong's violin maestro Ustad Priya Gopal Gupata alias Adhor Babu,  Violinists Chittagong, a platform working to popularise the learning of the violin in the city, organised the musical programme.

Ustad Mihir Lala, principal of 100-year music school Arya Sangeet, inaugurated the festival. Chaired by cultural activists Samar Kanti Barua, the programme was addressed by veteran flautist Ustad Azizul Islam and Chittagong Union of Journalists' President Izaz Yusufi.

To preserve the memory of Chittagong's pioneer violinist Ustad Priya Gopal Gupta who had a close relationship  with maestros like Ustad Allauddin Khan and Pandit Uday Shankar, Violinists Chittagong started its journey in the city in 2010, said the organisation's General Secretary Priyatosh Barua.

In his speech, CUJ President Izaz Yusufi urged the government to award Ustad Priya Gopal Gupta Ekushey Padak posthumously.

The programme started with a combined performance on Raga Yaman by the members of the organisation. Homayra Afraim Momo performed Raga Pilu, followed by Raga Bhupali by Sayan Chandra Dash.

Later, members of the organsiation presented a group performance, blending several tunes from Rabindranath Tagore.

Dr Tanmoy Sarker and Kazi Mousumi Akhter performed patriotic songs.  The performances of Shakila Paveen and Shubhra Barman and Dr Sandipan Das who rendered old Bangla songs like “Bimurto Ei Ratri Amar”, “Ei Meghla Dine Ekla” were fascinating.

With a group performance on Raga Hamir, the musical evening came to a close. Babul Kanti Dey, Asaduzzaman Khan, Parag Barua and Faruque Hossain accompanied  the
performers on the guitar, tabla and percussion respectively.

Prabir Paul and Sanchita Barua emceed the programme.