Music aficionados in the port city of Chittagong were spellbound on Saturday evening, as they enjoyed the performance of noted artistes of the country.

Renowned and accomplished singers Syed Abdul Hadi, Sabina Yasmin, Subir Nandi and Samina Chowdhury shared the stage to perform music, organised by HSBC, titled “Chokh Je Moner Kotha Boley” at a local hotel. Renowned composer Sujeya Syam was behind the musical direction in the stage performances of artistes.

Legendary music director Alauddin Ali surprised all as he hummed a few lines of the classic song – “Ekbar Jodi Keu Bhalobasto”, that he had  composed around 35 years back for the movie “Jonmo Theke Jolchhi”.

Afzal Hossain and Mithila Farzana emceed the programme and called up yesteryears Bangla cinema superstar Suchanda, on stage. 

Earlier, Syed Abdul Hadi performed songs including “Chokher Nojor Emni Koira” and “Emonoto Prem Hoy”.

Next Samina Chowdhury came up on stage and performed --“Aamar Dui Chokhe Dui Nodi”, “Ekbar Jodi Keu Bhalobasto” and “Aynate Oi Mukh Dekhbe Jokhon”, playbacked by Mahmudun Nabi, another legendary artiste of the country, for the movie “Nacher Putul” in 1971.

As Subir Nandi came up on stage to perform, the programme was almost at its peak. The artiste thanked HSBC for organising such an event to patronize mainstream Bangla songs. He performed some classic songs including “Aaj Abar Sey Pothey Dekha Hoye Gelo”, “Ei Dekhai Shesh Dekha Noito”, “Chokh Jey Moner Kotha Boley” and “Ami Brishtir Kachh Theke Kandte Shikhechhi.”

Partho Barua performed “Ei Neel Moni Haar”, “Nilanjana” and “Brishti Dekhe Onek Kendechhi.”

Sabina Yasmin started her performance with the patriotic song “Sob KoTa Janala Khuley Dao Na”. She then sang “Ashru Diye Lekha Ei Gaan”, “Ei Mon Tomakey Dilam” and “Rangdhanu Chokhey Chokhey, Kotha Boli Mukhey Mukhey.”

When the artiste was about to perform another classic “Eki Sonar Aloy Jibon Bhoriye Diley”, she called upon Suchanda on the stage. Suchanda lip-synced with the song in the movie “Moner Moto Bou” released in 1969.

Francois de Maricourt, chief executive officer (CEO) of the bank, said they organised the programme of Bangla music for an instance of respect to the rich language of the world in which around 20 crore people speak.

He also paid gratitude and respect to the Language Heroes and Language Martyrs in 1952 Language Movement.

Mahbubur Rahman, deputy CEO of the bank, said they organised the programme so that the well-wishers of the bank might pass some moments with their near and dear ones through enjoying classic Bangla songs performed by legendary artistes of the country.