Bengal Bikash seeks to uphold traditional Bangla songs

What triggered this phenomenon? Artiste Kharul Anam Shakil said, "The family is the prime source of learning. Sadly, even in well to do families, parents don't encourage their children to learn our traditional music. Schools don't have music as a subject or any provision for basic training in music. This is why nowadays we are blindly imitating music that does not belong to our culture."

What can be labelled as "true to the core" Bangla songs? Artiste Mita Haque said, "Songs that are deeply rooted in our tradition and reflect our identity are authentic Bangla songs." Luva Nahid Chowdhury added, "These songs inspire and comfort us." Artiste Yasmeen Mushtari said, "I've been singing Nazrul Geeti since I was a child. I never get tired of the songs. I feel, a nation that has been blessed with such immortal music, doesn't have to look anywhere else."

Is the current generation committed to our traditional music? Artiste Aditi Mohsin asserted, "I give music lessons at Chayyanaut and I'm hopeful about my students. However, there is a temptation to move away from the right track."

On the role of media in promoting eloquent songs that reflect reality, Shaheen Reza Noor from Daily Ittefaq said, " An effective news medium can play a key role in promoting and upholding meaningful Bangla songs. We are going through an unfortunate phase right now but we shouldn't just give up. The French and the Russians went through worse prior to their revolution. We can hope one day we'll relish memorable Bangla songs, plays and other art forms."

Bengal Foundation hopes that other organisations and individuals will join hands to promote high calibre Bangla music.