Khairul Anam Shakil sings at the soiree. photo courtesy: bengal foundation

Bengal Shilpalaya observed National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's 114th birth anniversary with the launch of a Nazrul Sangeet album titled “Benuka”. Noted Nazrul Sangeet artiste and general secretary of Chhayanaut Khairul Anam Shakil has recorded 12 tracks for the album. Eminent Nazrul Sangeet exponent Sudhin Das accompanied by the featured artiste and director general of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury unveiled the album at the event.
While delivering the welcome address, Luva Nahid Chowdhury informed music aficionados of the upcoming second Bengal- ITC SRA Classical Music Festival scheduled to set off on November 28 this year. The audience was only too delighted at the announcement.
Unveiling the album, Sudhin Das said, “Exploiting Nazrul's illness in 1942, some vested interest quarters in then West Bengal (India) reaped benefits of Swaralipi by distorting Nazrul's compositions. They paid no heed to our frequent pleas to end such underhand actions. I along with Talim Hossain of Nazrul Academy took the initiative to formulate Swaralipi of Nazrul Sangeet for the first time. Bengal Foundation has so far produced many albums of Nazrul Sangeet. I think there are no hindrances to practicing the genre in our country. Yet, some ignorant people say that Nazrul Sangeet has become archaic and lost its appeal in rendition. I urge you all to practice Nazrul Sangeet, maintain proper notations and inspire forthcoming generations to do likewise.”
Following the launch, Khairul Anam Shakil performed tracks from the album, his favourite numbers and songs on request from the audience at the programme. Shakil rendered ghazal, kabya-geeti, shyama sangeet, Islami gaan and raga-based Nazrul Sangeet.
The singer started off with the familiar Nazrul classic, “Tomar Aa(n)khir Moto Akasher Duti Tara". The artiste's presentation of a Khamaj genre “Musafir Mochhrey Aa(n)khi Jal”  moved the audience.
Shakil's rendition of a ghazal “Keno Dile E Kanta”, a mingling of Raga Raga “Behag” and “Khamaj”, seemed an apt musical height. He also offered another ghazal “Pashaner Bhangali Ghum” on audience request. Later, he rendered one of his favourite covers “Abar Bhalobashar Sadh Jagey”. Shakil showed his musical prowess with a Raga based classic “Ore Nishith Samadhi Bhangiyo Na” (Darbari Kanara) while he inspired the devotional Rasa in his rendition of the song “Ogo Antorjami Bhokter Tabo”.
Accomplished instrumentalists Asit Biswas (on esraj), Rooptanu (key board), Enamul Haque Omar (tabla) and Pradip Roy (percussion) accompanied the singer.
Bengal Foundation has worked ceaselessly over the last few decades to promote traditional Bangla songs. Besides producing albums, the organisation also arranges regular musical programmes and festivals throughout the year as well as on special occasions.