Chattogram-based Sanatani musical group Team Brishti is set to make its first international appearance with a series of concerts in India’s Assam state during the Durga Puja celebrations. The seven-member Bangladeshi band is scheduled to travel to India on 21 October following an invitation from the Madhabpur Nabodurga Puja Committee.

The group’s first concert will take place in Madhabpur village in Assam’s Hailakandi district. Several stage performances are planned during the visit, with the musicians expected to return to Bangladesh on 28 October.

Team Brishti has developed a musical identity by combining devotional songs, traditional Bengali melodies and contemporary arrangements. Its performances bring together elements of folk music and modern instrumentation, creating a distinctive sound that has attracted growing interest among audiences.

For the forthcoming concerts, the band plans to perform modern devotional songs alongside contemporary folk-fusion compositions. The musicians hope their performances will resonate with audiences in Assam, where Bengali language and cultural traditions have a significant presence.

Team Brishti manager Amit Saha expressed excitement about the opportunity to perform outside Bangladesh for the first time.

“We are delighted and proud to have the opportunity to perform on an Indian stage for the first time. This is a special achievement for us,” he said.

“We want our music and culture to reach Bengali-speaking people across the world. We will take to the stage with the love and blessings of people from both Bengals.”

Saha said the band also hopes to represent Bangladesh at larger international events in the future.

“We dream of representing Bangladesh on bigger stages, both at home and abroad. We believe that with the love and support of audiences, we will be able to fulfil that dream,” he added.

The seven-member group features Brishti Dey as its lead vocalist, Akash Dey on ukulele, Badsha on traditional Bengali drum, Amit Saha on octapad, Suman Das on keyboard, Chhoton Ghosh on flute and Tanmoy Dutta on bass guitar.

The combination of traditional and modern instruments is central to the band’s musical approach. The Bengali drum and flute contribute familiar folk sounds, while the ukulele, keyboard, octapad and bass guitar allow the musicians to explore contemporary arrangements.

Through this combination, Team Brishti seeks to present devotional and folk music in a style that retains its cultural character while appealing to listeners accustomed to modern musical performances.

The band’s journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions on movement and public gatherings brought many cultural activities to a halt.

Lead vocalist Brishti Dey, who comes from Patiya in Chattogram, recalled how informal musical gatherings gradually developed into a more organised group.

“I am from Patiya in Chattogram. Our musical journey began during the coronavirus pandemic, when we were all confined to our homes,” she said.

“At that time, I started spending time with a group of young men of my age. Music was always the main subject of our gatherings. Those musical sessions eventually led us to perform at different events.”

What began as casual gatherings soon developed into regular musical activities. As the members started appearing at local programmes, the band’s name gradually became familiar within the surrounding community.

“People began recognising our band, and since then we have continued moving forward without looking back,” Brishti recalled.

The musicians subsequently decided to expand their activities beyond live performances by establishing an institution dedicated to music education.

“To spread musical knowledge and practice, we collectively established a music school called Team Brishti School of Music. We have continued our musical activities through this initiative,” she said.

The establishment of the school reflects the group’s interest in developing musical skills alongside its performance activities. It also provides a way for the musicians to maintain their commitment to music education while pursuing opportunities on stage.

Team Brishti has also released several songs through digital platforms, allowing its music to reach listeners beyond those attending its live concerts.

According to Brishti, recordings by the band have been published through the Urboshi Ganer Shiri and Team Brishti YouTube channels.

Among the group’s notable releases are Mukhe Beshi Kotha Koiyo Na, Koto Apon, Nijere Bashio Bhalo and Megh Pahare.

These releases form part of the band’s efforts to build a wider audience while continuing to explore different musical styles.

The forthcoming Indian tour represents a significant development for a group whose origins lie in informal gatherings during the pandemic. From performing at local events in Chattogram to preparing for concerts abroad, Team Brishti has gradually expanded the scope of its musical activities.

The Assam performances also offer an opportunity for cultural exchange between Bangladesh and India. Bengali devotional music and folk traditions have longstanding connections across the two countries, and religious festivals frequently provide platforms for musicians to present traditional and contemporary interpretations of familiar songs.

Durga Puja, one of the most important Hindu religious festivals, is accompanied by cultural programmes in many communities. Musical performances often form part of these celebrations, bringing together audiences through devotional compositions and regional artistic traditions.

Against this cultural backdrop, Team Brishti’s participation in the Madhabpur festivities offers the group an opportunity to introduce its musical arrangements to Indian audiences while celebrating shared Bengali cultural influences.

For the band members, the visit is not simply another series of stage appearances. It marks their first opportunity to perform internationally and pursue their ambition of presenting Bangladeshi music to Bengali-speaking communities beyond the country’s borders.

With several concerts scheduled before their planned return on 28 October, the musicians are looking forward to gaining experience on a new stage and connecting with audiences in Assam.

The tour is expected to mark an important chapter in Team Brishti’s development as the group continues its work in live music, recorded performances and music education, while aspiring to represent Bangladesh at larger cultural events in the years ahead.