Under the spell of the great bard

Rizwana Chowdhury Bonnya rendering a song at the programme

Formed in January 7, 1995, the members of Dakkhini Rabindra Sangeetangan are dedicated to promoting Tagore songs. Through the initiative of chairperson Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, the organisation promotes eminent as well as promising artistes of this genre.

Compered by reciter Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay, the opening singer of the show was Nargis Chowdhury. Nargis learned the ABCs of music from Ustad Gajendralal Ray. Her other mentors in music are Ajit Ray, Nilufar Yasmeen and Shanjib Dey. A member of Geetanjali, a cultural organisation and Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Shangstha (BRSS), Nargis Chowdhury is a regular singer of TV, radio and stage. She rendered Megh bolechhey jabo jabo, Pathohara tumi, Shudhu jawa asha, Olo shoi and Shokhi bhabona kaharey boley.

Next on stage was Fahim, who learned to sing under Pranbandhu Shaha and Selim Majumdar. The co-chairperson of BRSS, he is a popular artiste of Bangladesh Betar, TV channels and stage shows. With his melodious voice he rendered some classic numbers that enthralled the audience. Among the songs he presented were Tumi shondhyar meghomala, Amar din phuralo, Shei bhalo shei bhalo, Ami tomar premey, Aji joto tara tobo akashey, Naho mata naho konya, Jiboney amar jato anando and Amar hridoy.

Before the performance of much-awaited artiste of the evening Rizwana Chowdhury Bonnya, Bhaswar Bandyapadhyay recited Tagore's poem Ami.

The recipient of Ananda Sangeet Award twice, Bonnya learned music in Chhayanaut and Bulbul Lalito Kala Academy in her early years. Later she went to Biswabharati for a higher degree in music, where she trained under legendary Tagore exponents Konika Bandyopadhyay, Shailo-jaranjan Majumdar, Shantideb Ghosh, Nilima Sen and others. She has established a music school Shurer Dhara and also teaches music in Dhaka University.

Dedicating her performance to her mentor, Konika Bandyo-padhyay, Bonnya said, "Steered by Chairperson Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Dakkhini Rabindra Sangeetangan's efforts are commendable." She began with a devotional song, Amar hiar majhey lukiye chhiley. She also rendered Emono diney tarey bola jay, Aji tomay and Rupey tomay bholabo na.

The last artiste to perform was Tapan Mahmud, who learned the basics of music under Narayan Chandra Shaha, Fazle Nizami and Arabinda Biswas. He is the recipient of a gold medal in the category of Tagore songs in the then East Pakistan Provincial Music Competition in 1969. Since then he has been performing on TV and radio. In the show he rendered Diner sheshey, Shudhu tomar bani, Bhalobeshey shakhi and Jani tomar ajana nahigo.

The artistically decorated stage and well-organised show of Dakkhini Rabindra Sangeetangan deserves kudos. Here's hoping more such shows would be held often.