Eminent classical vocalist Pandit Amaresh Roy Chowdhury performed in a solo soiree of classical music at Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), Gulshan, Dhaka on May 30.
The 86-year old vocalist performed two khayal, a Nazrul Sangeet “Mahabidya Adyashakti” and an adhunik song “Modhur Amar Mayer Hashi” in one a half hour long soiree.
The artiste started off with an evening Raga Yaman that was set on vilambit ektaal, jaap taal and teentaal. Later, Roy presented another khayal set on Raga Abhogi. The performance was on vilambit ektaal and teentaal.
The artiste's performed a variety of sargam, bistar and taan. His immaculate ragdari and exquisite pukar stood out among other features of his performances, taking his presentation to a spiritual height.
Jatan Kumar Paul on tabla, Dr. Jagadananda Roy on harmonium and Aloke Kumar Sen on tanpura accompanied the artiste.
Born in 1928 at Faridpur, Pandit Amaresh Roy Chowdhury learned classical music from legendary classical vocalists -- Sudhir Lal Chakrabarty, Harihar Shukla and Tarapada Chakrabarty. He also took lessons on adhunik songs, Atulprasad's songs, Nazrul Sangeet and Shyama Sangeet from Netrakona's noted artiste and composer, Nikhil Chandra Sen.
Chowdhury has received many awards and titles during his illustrious career. These include Sanket Sangskritik Goshthi award in 1981; “Ustad Gul Mohammad Memorial Award” by Sangeet Academy, Dhaka in 1982; “Gunijan Sammanona” by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka in 1997; National Leader Shaheed “AHM Kamaruzzaman Sammanona Smarok” on the Victory Day in 2010 and “Rabindra Padak” by Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad in 2014.
IGCC in association with Asian Paints, IRCON and Marico Bangladesh organised the event.