Asaduzzaman Noor recites. Photo: Mahmuda Tuli

Monsoon is a season steeped in beauty, when bountiful Mother Nature unfolds herself. The advent of the season was well celebrated at a programme organised by Government Music College, Dhaka on June 21. The event was held at National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
 Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, graced the occasion as chief guest while principal of the music college, Professor Shameema Parveen presided over the programme.
 Noted Tagore singer Lily Islam started off the event with a 'stotro' from epic poet Kalidas' "Meghadootam" (The Cloud Messenger). It was followed by the offering of a Tagore song “Abar Eshechhey Asharh”. The melancholy of Yaksha [of "Meghadootam"] subsequently reverberated in Bengali literature and music by bards like Tagore, Nazrul and others.
 Mohammad Shoeb directed and led a choral classical piece set on Raga Megh. The bandish “Gaganey Garajata Damakata Damini” along with the tarana “Drim Ta Na Na” seemed to resonate with the droning and thrumming musical sound and with the visuals of thunder and lightning, tantrum of winds, swaying branches of trees and other features of monsoon. The artistes' sargam taan coupled with tehai and Shoeb's humming marveled the audience.
 Dr. Fakir Shahidul Islam also presented a chhoto kheyal based on a monsoon Raga Miyan Ki Malhar.
 Professor Shameema Parveen then invited the chief guest to recite a poem. Asaduzzaman Noor instantly took the Geetabitan in his hands and recited a Tagore song “Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Koro Hey Guni”. The audience received the presentation with rounds of applause.
 The artistes of Music College later performed a medley of two songs “Esho Shyamal Sundar” that Tagore composed prior to a Borshamongol programme at Shantineketan in 1937 and a Kazi Nazrul Islam composition “Esho Hey Sajal Shyam Ghano Deya” set on raga Adana.
 The event also featured solo monsoon melodies by the teachers and students of the Music College. Among others, Lily Islam performed a Tagore song “Shawan Gaganey”, Urbi Shom presented a Nazrul number “Shawan Ashilo Phirey”, Mafizur Rahman also sang a Nazrul Sangeet “Keno Megher Chhaya” and Rokhsana Aktar Rupsha presented a folk song “Joshti Na Ashadh-e Borshar Joarey”.

Artistes perform a choral song. Photo: Mahmuda Tuli

 Professor Shameema Parveen and music researcher Kamol Khalid read out excerpts and allusions on monsoon throughout the programme. The set of the programme was apt while the sound and accompanying instrumental music appeared soothing.