Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

At 10 past 9 pm, the audience was starting to get a tad twitchy. The ustad had taken the stage. Tuning the four 'jawari,' four melody strings, two 'chikari' and fifteen sympathetic pegs do take a while. "A raaga can be played for hours," the maestro said prior to his performance, "I recall playing from 9 pm to 7 in the next morning in Calcutta (now Kolkata) once." Connoisseurs seemed delighted at the possibility. "But tonight I'll play an array of compositions," he said.

Immersed in music: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performing at Dhaka Club. Photo: Mumit M.

Legendary Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan of India will perform in the city today during his first visit to Dhaka in 30 years.

Amjad Ali Khan, the master of Senia Bangash lineage, arrived in Dhaka yesterday along with his two fellow instrumentalists at the invitation of Dhaka Club Ltd.

Dhaka Club yesterday gave 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to the renowned cultural personality, Tagore artiste and also member of Dhaka Club Kalim Sharafi at a function for his outstanding contribution to music.

Kalim Sharafi is also the recipient of the Ekushey Padak and Swadhinata Padak for his great contribution in the cultural field.

Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain Salim handing
over life-long membership crest to Rabindra vocalist Kalim
Sharafi at the club premises yesterday on the occasion of
the 97th founding anniversary of the Dhaka Club.
NN photo

A three-day tree fair and daylong tree plantation began on the premises of Dhaka Club at Shahbagh in the city on Thursday morning.

Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain Selim inaugurated the occasion at 11 am. Former Dhaka Club presidents ex-ambassador Shamsur Rahman, MG Mortaza, MA Sattar, AK Firoz Ahmed and club members and their families were present in the function.

A young lady viewing a 'Karamcha' plant on the
opening day of 3-day long tree fair at Dhaka Club premises
yesterday.
NN photo