Gitanjali comes a long way with Tagore songs
Sabira Manir
It is around 12 years since the musical organisation Gitanjali began its journey. Today it has come a long way from its early days when it began with eminent Tagore singers such as Nahar Jamil, Naima Ali, Chitra Sarker, Fahim Hosain Choudhury, Sajed Akber, Salma Akber, Mujibul Kaium and Sirajus Salakeen. Recalls Salma, 'Although we were well known individually, we wanted to team up to promote Rabindra Sangeet and music in general.'Gitanjali meets once a week with its 14 members in Dhanmondi. 'We are practicing not only Tagore's song but also the musical compositions of DL Roy, Rajanikanto and Atulprashad,' says Fahim. The remarkable works of Gitanjali are Basanto Utsav - a tribute to spring and Barsha Mongal - a tribute to monsoon. Besides, Gitanjali performs in national and local programmes all the year round, celebrating monsoon, autumn, spring festivals and fairs and the anniversaries of Tagore. 'We want to hold more such programmes but it's not possible due to a number of reasons. Firstly, the auditoriums are limited. Furthermore, the rents of the auditoriums are exorbitant and we do not get adequate sponsorship,' says Sajid. 'Through the Shilpakala Academy, the Cultural Ministry can arrange programmes with various organisations every month,' adds Fahim. So far Gitanjali has produced two CD's and one cassette. Fahim says, 'We are the first musical organisation in Bangladesh to produce a chorus CD and cassette.' Gitanjali's members are busy planning a programme on all six seasons of Bangladesh. Now that the music school completes 12 years, it is time for the organisation to consolidate its achievements as well as venture into newer arenas in the cultural sphere.
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A musical evening by Gitanjali |
