Jaltaranga’s soulful night of Bangla melodies
An evening of timeless Bangla classics unfolded at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, where Jaltaranga’s performers captivated a packed audience with soulful melodies and nostalgic renditions
On the left side of the stage stood Nur-e-Alam Sajib, one of the country's finest keyboardists, commanding his instrument with quiet elegance. On the right, Md Sakhawat Hossain Khan held the percussion, his steady rhythm forming the heartbeat of the performance. Beside him, Bhulu Dhar's nimble fingers danced over the tabla, creating a rhythmic cadence.
At the very centre of the stage, Zakir Hossain Tapan rested his hands on the harmonium, a serene focus in his demeanour. To Zakir's right, vocalist Shefta Alam Shyama prepared to enchant the audience, while on his left, Tanvira Alam Shyama waited, her voice ready to weave magic.
This ensemble took the stage at the Zahed Hasan Auditorium of the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Banglamotor, Dhaka. At precisely 6:40 PM on 17 January, the stage lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the performers.
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The musical evening was initiated by Zakir Hossain of the Jaltaranga music organisation, accompanied by Aditi and Shyama, in a soul-stirring rendition of 'Tumi Nirmal Koro'. Their harmonised voices immediately captivated the packed audience, drawing them into the experience.
Shortly afterwards, the main segment of the evening began—'Tumi Eshechhile Jibone Amar', a celebration of timeless classics from Bangla music's golden era. Following the choral performance, Shyama's emotive voice delivered two iconic tracks, 'Jani Bahire Amar Tumi' and 'Dur Ashar Baluchore.' By this time, every seat in the auditorium was filled, and the air buzzed with anticipation.
Among the audience were not just ordinary music lovers but also luminaries such as Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, and women's rights leader Shireen Huq. Their presence lent the event a sense of prestige and encouragement for today's cultural practitioners.
Zakir Hossain Tapan, the General Secretary of Jaltaranga, also transported the audience back in time with his rendition of classic, tasteful hits. Songs like 'Enechi Amar Shoto Jonmer Prem', 'Modhur Amar Maa er Hashi', 'Tomar Bhubone Phuler Mela', and 'Tumi Eshechhile Jibone Amar' filled the room with nostalgia and delight, leaving the audience longing for more.\
"Artistes have a social responsibility, and we keep this in mind as we plan and perform. I believe initiatives like this are met with great support, and we hope to continue our efforts in the days to come."
At one point during the event, music enthusiast Muttalib Biswas and actor-reciter Jayanta Chattopadhyay stepped onto the stage to encourage the performers, their presence adding a touch of warmth and inspiration.
The evening wasn't just about music; it was an immersive experience, as the artistes shared stories and relevant insights about the songs they performed, providing the audience some additional context.
Among the highlights of the night was Shefta Alam Aditi, whose melodious voice delighted the crowd. She sang timeless classics such as 'Baash Baganer Mathar Upor', 'Duti Mon Ar Nei', and 'Bhul Shob Bhul', enchanting everyone in the room.
The audience, drawn from the busy life of the city, seemed transported to a different time. These old classics wove a spell, creating a magical escape for the listeners, as if the rhythms and melodies had momentarily freed them from the constraints of urban life.
Such was the response from the audience that the artistes had to extend their planned performances well beyond the scheduled time, with the event concluding later than originally intended.
The musical evening concluded with the artistes of Jaltaranga performing a total of 24 classics, a few more than their originally planned setlist of 15 songs.
Jaltaranga has spent the last decade organising such refined and aesthetic niche events. Under the guidance of its president, Masuda Khan Iti and Zakir Hossain Tapan, the group continues its regular music practices at their dedicated office in Hatirpool.
Most of the members involved with the organisation are working professionals. After their busy work schedules, they set aside specific days of the week for rehearsals and planning events for various occasions.
Reflecting on this particular concert, Tapan shared his thoughts, "This time, the overwhelming response from the audience truly filled our hearts. From the beginning, we've aimed for quality music and thoughtful audiences. Once again, everyone enjoyed the old classics."
He concluded saying, "Artistes have a social responsibility, and we keep this in mind as we plan and perform. I believe initiatives like this are met with great support, and we hope to continue our efforts in the days to come."
