By Nirendra Dev
Dhaka, Dec 26 (UNI) Magnificent Musical experience would unfold itself at the spacious Dhanmondi's Abahani Playground on Tuesday evening ,the venue for the majestic sixth edition of the five-day long Bengal Classical Music Festival.
"The festival this year would begin today evening and will continue till December 30 late night.
It would introduce a fusion of Indian classical and Western Classical music featuring legendary
violinist and composer Dr L Subramaniam and the 58-member Astana Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra," said a spokesman of Bengal Foundation who is also the organiser of the mega show.
The man behind the musical extravaganza, Abul Khair started the classical music fest in Dhaka five years ago wherein music maestros drawn from India and Bangladesh, display their creative expertise seeking to renew the bonds between two often distinct but identical arts.
In Circa 2017, the 6th edition of the mega event, Mr Khair sounded more than satisfied about his initiative.
"There can be no better means of ensuring a bonding of people and of bringing them together, than through cultural exchange,"said Mr Khair, chairman of the Bengal Foundation.
During the five-day spectacle, other artists who will be performing include Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (Sitar), Avijiit Kundu (Dhrupad),Abir Hossain (Sarod) and Gazi Abdul Hakim (Flute).
The great musical extravaganza is being organised by Dhaka-based Bengal Foundation, a public trust, which is committed to the belief that exposure to the art and culture can help conserve tradition and allow diversity to bloom.
Bangladesh Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and Cultural Affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor will be present in the inaugural ceremony, organisers said.
High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla is also likely to attend the function as one of special invitees.
Astana Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra (ASPO) is considered to be one of the most notable orchestras of Kazakhstan and has in the past, collaborated with many distinguished conductors like D Brosse, R Gutter and A Tchaikovosky.
Dr Subramaniam said there is always a "common ground" for music of two different Worlds to come together."We can create some beautiful things which are appreciated by both the Indian and Western music,"
The legendary violinist and composer Dr Subramaniam told UNI that"it is now the era of global music to perform on global platform". "I am glad artists of different Gurukuls and Gharanas from India are participating in it.
The inaugural session will also include show by Bangladesh's popular sitar artist Firoz Khan.A Jugalbandi of Flawless flute and Sitar will be presented by Rakesh Chaurasia and Kolkata-based sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee.
"We have performed earlier also. Recently we mesmerized thousands at a festival in Chennai.When we two - me and Purbayan perform you may not know where flute stops and sitar starts and vice versa.....We will put up this show without following any textbook norm," said Rakesh Chaurasia.
Sharing similar sentiment, Mr Chatterjee said, "As a festival venue, Dhaka always inspires me. As a Bengali, I feel I can emotionally relate to people's aspirations and expectations from the artistes. Hence, it will be a unique show".
Mr Chatterjee is noted for amalgamating traditional Indian classical music with contemporary World music genres.The late night music show will also experience the performance of Khayal artists like Supriya Das and Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, the organisers said.
On the inaugural evening the musical bonanza will also be graced by Rajrupa Chowdhury, one of the few female Sarod players from India.
The closing ceremony on December 30-31 night will showcase a flute performance by maestro Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Bengal Foundation has been organising the fest since 2012 aiming to revive the lost heritage of the rich classical music.
UNI DEVN CJ 1724