Celebrating World Music Day

A section of the audience at the Alliance Francaise

The AF Dhaka opened its doors to musicians who were free to register and perform--be it vocal or instrumental, classical or folk, contemporary or reggae. An important feature of this year's celebrations is the encouragement given to amateurs to participate. The events are dedicated to promoting French language and culture and to further promote friendly relationships between Bangladesh and France. Alliance Française de Dacca is at once a language school, a cultural centre, an art gallery, a bookshop, a cultural events organiser, a resource centre and a typical French café.

On June 23, the packed hall of the AF was evidence enough that ghazal is a popular musical genre. The singer Jhon Sumit was in top form as he rendered some popular Bangla and Hindi ghazals such as Chandi jaisa roop hai tera, Rafta rafta, Peyar bharey do sharmiley and Tomar oi hashitey. He set the pattern for the evening by beginning with some couplets before launching full flow on to a ghazal, letting the audience experience his superb vocal range. Sumit is a talented singer of modern songs and ghazals. He has performed several times in Fete de la Musique in Alliance Française de Dacca. A Hindi ghazal about childhood memories and a Bangla song Keu jodi kichhu boley, money kichhu korona rendered by him, went down well with the audience. His songs were accompanied by tabla, guitar and harmonium. Connoisseurs and others in the audience alike appreciated the concert. The music festival will end on June 30.