Shurer Dhara presents Phirey Chal Matir

Shurer Dhara, a cultural organisation led by noted Tagore singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, bade adieu to the Bengali year 1415 and welcomed 1416 with a vibrant musical programme featuring folk songs and dance performances. The event was held on April 13, the last day of the Bengali month Chaitra, under the Ashwattha tree at the Lalmatia Girls’ High School ground.

Titled “Phirey Chal Matir Taney,” the event highlighted folk music with a call to our soul to turn back to our roots. Tagore and Nazrul songs that fall into the Baul or folk genre, ‘Bhawaiya,’ ‘Bhatiali,’ ‘Kirtan,’ ‘Manosha Panchali,’ songs of Radha Raman, Shah Abdul Karim and more were performed by guest artistes, current and former students of Shurer Dhara at the event.

The event started off with a chorus of the Tagore song, “Phirey chal matir taney.” Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, director of Shurer Dhara, welcomed the audience, saying, “In this age of information technology and open exposure to the global culture, we have to unite to uphold our traditions and present it with pride to the world. Unfortunately, we are moving away from our roots. This event is a call to all to get closer to our heritage.”

Among the guest artistes were Ferdaus Ara, Kangalini Sufia, Idris Boyati, Islam Hossain Boyati, Bipul Bhattacharya, Kiran Chandra Roy and Laisa Ahmed Lisa. Kartik Das Baul from West Bengal also performed at the event. Dance compositions by several ethnic groups, along with performances by Tamanna Rahman, Tahrina Islam Jhumi, Munmun Ahmed and others were also attractions at the programme.

Among the dignitaries attending the programme were Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith; Commerce Minister Col. (retd.) Farooq Khan; UN Representative Renata Dessalion; Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mukta D. Tomar; director general of BSA, Kamal Lohani; artists Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi; poet Asad Chowdhury, Professor Mridulkanti Chakrabarti, department of Theatre and Music, DU, and media personalities Aly Zaker and Sara Zaker.

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