Singing for HOME

Even before she completed her set up, people from all over the city crowded into the Bengal Boi vicinity, only to get a glimpse of Sahana Bajpaie, not to mention, listen to her sing.

After 10 long years, Sahana finally stepped into the city where she had earlier spent almost a decade of her life. Currently, a professional singer and lecturer residing in London, Dhaka, to Sahana, is like a second home where she had built relationships, played music and sang for her admirers and fans.

“That's the road I used to take!” she screams while driving through Gulshan 2. “I used to walk up to that grocery store to do my shopping. And look! There used to be a phuchka stand right there. It's not there anymore.” While moving around the city on her very second day upon arrival, Sahana points to familiar locations and landmarks to her friend and colleague Samantak, who came all the way from Kolkata to play a few gigs. “I need to make some time to go to Baily road,” adds Sahana, mumbling to herself.

Yesterday, Sahana and her band, mesmerised the crowd with her Tagore numbers. She sang about the rain, love and spirituality. The show seemed to be more like a reunion of old friends, where everyone sang along. On request, Sahana also sang a couple of folk compositions and some of her hit numbers that had conquered the Bangladesh top charts years ago.

Today, Sahana leaves for home in London and carries with her a bunch of memories made in the week spent in Dhaka. From spending time with a Shankha maker in Shakharibazaar, eating lunch at Beauty Boarding in Bangla Bazaar to rehearsing for shows and performing at gigs, Sahana has done it all!

“I will be back soon!” says Sahana with tears in her eyes. “I won't stay away from my Dhaka any longer!”