Borsha

Professor Anisur Rahman rendering a song at the event. PHOTO: STAR

On the evening of July 15, a musical programme featuring Anisur Rahman's solo performance, was held at Shaheed Zia Auditorium, National Museum. The theme and title of the musical evening was Borsha (season of rain). The auditorium brimmed with music admirers, including prominent literary and cultural personalities. The programme was sponsored by D.Net and Pakkhik Anannya. Bondhu and Borsha, two albums comprising Tagore songs rendered by Anisur Rahman were also presented at the occasion.

The first part of the programme comprised Tagore songs that delineate the beauty of nature in rainy season and the allure of rain itself. The artiste shared his interpretations and in some cases, brief history of the songs. While he was playing on the harmonium, for Sangat (accompaniment), he only had a violinist and sitar in the background. Anisur Rahman rendered Aandhar ombor-e prochondo dombru and illustrated what might have inspired the poet to write the song. In his view, "The poet was trying to embrace the mystic charm of nature during rain. He was trying to comprehend rain veiled in the darkness of night." He then rendered Ami tokhono cchilem mogono gohono ghumer ghorey jokhon brishti namlo and Timiro abogunthoney.

The artiste performed songs that convey the eternal human craving to have the beloved near at hand in the rain. Anisur Rahman smilingly said, "I believe we are all familiar with the feelings and emotions these songs are about, so I'm not going to interpret these songs."

He then performed Tomar geeti jagalo smriti, Chiniley na amarey ki, Godhuli gogoney meghey dheke cchilo tara, Eshecchiley tobu asho nai and Ki bedona mor jano shey ki tumi…mor onek durer mita. The last mentioned was penned by Tagore in memory of his brother and dear confidante Dinendranath Tagore.

The event ended with a rendition of Shoghono gohono ratri jhoricchey srabon-dhara. Anisur Rahman pointed out, "This song speaks of a sky with no light. Just one star is visible, gleaming like the tear of a morose belle. I always try to catch the star but in vain. Maybe someday some talented artiste, hopefully from this generation, will be able to accomplish what I couldn't."

All the lights on the stage were turned off except one, to create the appropriate ambiance. When the song was over, it left a lasting impression on many.