Amidst razzle-dazzle Tonatuni Festival '05 ends

A colourful dance sequence from Dui Pakhi

This year's Tonatuni Festival began from June 2 and ended on June 6, at the National Theatre Stage, Shilpakala Academy. The five-day long festival pulled in crowds, specifically for Tonatuni's colourful, imaginative dance presentations inspired by the literary works of three masters.

This year Tonatuni has released a music album, Khela Bhangar Khela, comprising popular songs rendered by renowned doctors and physicians of West Bengal and Bangladesh. A major part of the proceeds from the sales would be utilised to help the less fortunate. On the eve of June 3, the doctors performed some of the numbers from the album on stage.

On June 4, artistes Zakia Sultana Shanta, Iffat Tasnin Aurin and Mita Haque performed at the event followed by the stage presentation of Tonatuni's production of Todaye Bandha Ghodar Dim, penned by Satyajit Ray. The previous staging of this dance presentation was highly acclaimed and this time it was no different.

Eminent literary and cultural personalities were awarded for their contribution to their respective fields by Tonatuni on June 5. The Award recipients are Kalim Sharafee, Rathindranath Ray, Faridur Reza Shagor, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Shujeo Shyam, Shakila Zafar, Tamanna Rahman, Deepa Khandakar, Hasan Hafiz, Kiriti Ranjan Biswas and Shanu Banarjee. Later that evening, Kiron Chandra Ray and Rumana Islam charmed the audience with their songs and a moving dance presentation of the Rural Poet, Jasim Uddin's poem, Kobor was staged.

On the last day of the festival, the programme began a bit late but the audience did not seem to mind. The show kicked off with a high voltage performance by the ace bhawaiyya singer Rathindranath Ray -- Ami asha korey achi doyal. The number was followed by renditions of Bondhu kajol bhromora re and Prem-e mora shohoj noy. It's truly amazing how even with non-acoustic instruments like electric guitar, keyboard and octapad, the artiste gave the audience a taste of our mystic-soulful folk music.

One of the highlights of the event has to be artiste Shakila Zafar's performance. As if on a mission to corroborate her versatility, the artiste rendered four diverse songs with equal prowess. The Nazrul Geeti, Kholo kholo go duaar was flawless, followed by a melancholy ballad, Kono kono raat-e shob smriti ekshathey ashey beratey and an adhunik song, Tumi amar prothom shokal. But the minstrel demonstrated the zenith of her mettle through an Urdu mujra number, Yeh Kaise log hain, qadar morey janey na, from the movie Hason Raja. Of course for sangat (accompaniment), she had a seasoned tabla player, who along with her, evoked a tempest of tunes in the hall. Like moth to a flame, the audience seemed smitten with the performance; rounds of applause just validated that adulation.

Next was a dance presentation of 'Kobiguru' Rabindranath Tagore's Dui Pakhi. Though the poem might seem to focus on immortal love apparently, it has other metaphorical messages. Dui Pakhi is a parable of the realisation of freedom, the agony of habituated bondage and the imperialist mighty who want to crush the weak.

Through vivid costumes, expressive dance sequences, skillfully rendered songs and creative set design, the presentation was a treat for everyone. Although at times some scenes seemed a bit stretched, that is understandable as it is based on a poem. Dance director Deepa Khondokar, music director Shujeo Shyam and costume designer Kiriti Ranjan Biswas must be lauded for the magnificent production.

Mahbubur Rahman Jaynal, managing director of Tonatuni and Mojibur Rahman Dilu, the coordinator have successfully put together a cultural show that promotes pure and wholesome entertainment. Let's hope, the trend continues in the coming years.