The second edition of the Dhaka International Folk Festival opened in the city's Army Stadium yesterday in a festive mood amid tight security.

Audiences braved heavy Thursday evening traffic to join the festival in hoards to enjoy a variety of performances.

Pallavi Dance Centre opened the festival, dressed in bright costumes and dancing energetically to folk tunes and songs, most recognisably to Joler Gaan's “Bokul Phool”.

Abdur Rahman Baul, a senior disciple of Baul Shah Abdul Karim, took the stage next, performing with a traditional instrumental ensemble. His performance of “Maya Lagaise”, “Agey Ki Sundor Din Kataitam” and “Matir Pinjiray” got loud applause from the audience.

The formal inauguration ceremony followed, where Anjan Chowdhury, chairman of organiser Sun Events, delivered a welcome address, thanking the prime minister and the partners and sponsors, the Army and the police, for their assistance and support for the festival.

On behalf of the sponsors, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Dhaka Bank; Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director of Microsoft Bangladesh and Yasir Azman, chief marketing officer of Grameenphone; spoke next.

Annisul Haq, mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, spoke at the event. “The folk music of our region influenced classical music, Rabindranath and Nazrul,” he said, thanking the organisers for brining Bangladesh's culture close to the country's youth.

Addressing the programme as chief guest, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said people of this country are cultured, because an affinity to music and dance is inherent in every Bangladeshi. 

He said folk music is a great exponent of our rich culture, and thanked Anjan Chowdhury for organising such an event.

Tuntun Baul, another noted folk exponent of the country, took the stage next. He opened with a Lalon song “Bolo Swarup” and performed “Ke Banailo Emon Rongmohol Khana” and more.

The audience kept pouring in as the next performers on the day's lineup included Simon Thacker (UK) featuring Raju Das Baul (India) and Farida Yasmin (Bangladesh), celebrated Pakistani qawwal Javed Bashir and the crowd favourite, the soulful and energetic Momtaz.

The three-day festival, organised by Sun Events and presented by Meril, continues today and tomorrow from 6:00pm-midnight every day at the venue, and features performers from seven countries.