New Year Musical Bridge in Dhaka

A cultural programme marking the Bengali New Year was held in Dhaka under the title “Badhon Achhe Prane Prane”, presenting a shared musical platform for artists from both Bengal regions. The event was jointly organised by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and HSBC Bangladesh. It took place at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, featuring performances by Aditi Mohsin and Shrikanto Acharya.

The venue was arranged in a simple and orderly manner, with an open-air seating arrangement under a canopy on a landscaped lawn. The audience reflected the festive spirit of Pohela Boishakh through traditional attire, contributing to an environment aligned with the cultural significance of the occasion.

The programme opened with brief remarks by Pranay Verma and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh. Both speakers highlighted the cultural importance of the Bengali New Year and the longstanding artistic and cultural connections between Bangladesh and India. Pranay Verma extended New Year greetings and emphasised that such events help strengthen shared cultural understanding and reconnect people with their heritage. Md Mahbub ur Rahman reiterated HSBC’s support for cultural diversity and its continued engagement with the promotion of Bengali artistic traditions.

Structure of Performances

Aditi Mohsin initiated the musical segment with compositions drawn from devotional and reflective traditions. Her repertoire included works by Rajanikanta Sen and Rabindranath Tagore, establishing a calm and contemplative tone. She continued with additional Tagore compositions and patriotic songs, concluding her solo performance with a piece associated with national identity and historical context.

Following her segment, Shrikanto Acharya took the stage. A prominent figure in Bengali modern music, he performed a diverse selection of songs, including modern Bengali compositions, film songs, and Rabindra Sangeet. His performance also included personal reflections on music, tributes to fellow artists, and multilingual interpretations. He acknowledged his longstanding engagement with audiences in Bangladesh, reinforcing his cultural connection with the region.

The highlight of the evening was the joint performance of “Eso He Boishakh” by both artists, symbolising the thematic essence of the Bengali New Year celebration. This collaborative piece marked the culmination of the musical programme and represented a shared cultural expression between the two regions.

On the following evening, a second edition of the programme was held under the same title, featuring additional musical arrangements and further performances by the same artists. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam, along with other invited guests.

At the conclusion of the events, organisers formally recognised the participating artists for their performances, acknowledging their contribution to the success of the cultural initiative and its role in celebrating Bengali New Year through shared musical expression.