Marking Bangla Naboborsho 1422 and five decades of musical career of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (SBBK) artiste Shaheen Samad, cultural organisation Amra Surjamukhi arranged a programme, featuring discussion and a solo musical soiree at Poet Sufia Kamal auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on April 18. 

Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser, attended the event as chief guest. Qayum Reza Chowdhury, assistant press secretary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, cultural and theatre personality Ramendu Majumdar, noted singer Syed Abdul Hadi and Dr. Khaleda Khanam, president of Bangabandhu Mahila Parishad were present as special guests. Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam, constitution expert and a state minister of Bangabandhu government, presided over the programme. Coordinating secretary of Amra Surjamukhi Shafiqul Islam Selim delivered the welcome address at the event. 

Shaheen Samad set off the soiree with a raga-based classic of Kazi Nazrul Islam “Kholo Go Ankhi”, set on Raga Bhairavi. She then performed a baul-ang song “Ami Bhai Khyapa Baul”, a tappa “Swapone Eshechhilo Mridubhashini”; a DL Roy song “Ekbar Gaal Bhora Ma Daak-e”. The artiste also spoke about her long musical career with various references, interspersed between the songs. 

The seasoned artiste showcased some melodic skills while performing a Meera Bhajan “Tumhri Karan” and a dadra “Jochhona Korechhe Aadi”, originally recorded by Begum Akhtar. Later, the artiste performed a romantic Kavyageeti “Priyo Emono Raat Jeno Jaye Na Brithai” a golden oldies “Kehene Toh Bohot Kuchh” and wrapped up the soiree with three songs of SBBK.