The monthly Sargam, the only regular magazine on music in the country, completed its 12th year of publication this October. To celebrate the occasion, a discussion and musical soiree were held at the National Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
A day-long conference and workshop attended by 70 representatives of the magazine throughout the country were also held at the VIP Lounge of National Press Club.
The discussion was presided over by Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Eminent lyricist KG Mustafa; litterateur and music exponent Abdus Shakur; Shawkat Mahmud, general secretary of National Press Club; chief advisor of satellite channel ATN Bangla Saiful Bari and social activist Mabubuz Zaman were present as discussants. Quazi Rawnaq Hossain, editor of Sargam was the co- ordinator of the event and welcomed the audience. In the lively and constructive discussion, the speakers appreciated the extensive effort by the magazine to orient the masses towards classical music.
"Music speaks directly to the heart. Even in the most humdrum of situations, people can enjoy the magical power of music. But as an illiterate man does not have access to literature, a minimal knowledge to music is needed to enjoy the rich offerings of classical music. Sargam has been working to make people realise this need, an important element given the present status of classical music in the country, " Abdus Shakur said in his speech.
The lyricist of songs like Tomarey Legechhe ato je bhalo , Aainatey oi mukh dekhbe jakhon and many other popular songs of the '60s, KG Mustfa said, “Music is the cultural identity of a nation. What has been going on in the name of music at present, is a cultural disaster for our future generation."
Sargam honoured seasoned cultural activist Shafiur Rahman, general secretary of Shuddha Sangeet Prashar Gosthi at the event. Led by Shafiur Rahman, Shuddha Sangeet Prasar Gosthi has been arranging regular classical musical soirees for the last four decades.
The musical programme began with Ulka Hossain rendering a Nazrul Sangeet “Key duranto bajao”. She also rendered a popularar Sandhya Mukherjee number. Next came Promod Dutt's performance. With a strong and melodious voice, he sang “Matietey janmo nilam” and a DL Roy number, “Ghano tomsabrito ambar dharani”. Artiste Iffat Ara Nargis entertained the audience with her song “Ekta mon chai, shudhu manusher mon” and a local song of Rajshahi, “Amar praner soudagar”. She also sang the popular number “Je jon premer bhab janena” on request.
The event also featured performances by Khurshid Alam, Hasan Choudhury, Perveen Sultana, Shireen Shila and Jamil Ibrahim among others.
