Chittagong-based music organisation Raktakarabi launched a special music album "Raag-e Robiraag-e" at The Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct at The Daily Star Centre on December 9. The album features a demonstrative presentation of Hindustani Classical Ragas along with Tagore songs based on the related ragas.

Special guest of the programme Pt. Vijay Kichlu unveiled the album while Agra Gharana music exponent Vidushi Subhra Guha, Tagore exponent ABM Nurul Anwar and Bengal Foundation DG Luva Nahid Choudhury attended the programme as distinguished guests.

"To understand and render Bangla songs well, knowledge and practice of classical music is needed. Those who have enriched Bangla songs for hundreds of years have done the job with precise understanding of raga music. I sincerely thank the organisers for presenting us Tagore songs together with rendition of Indian classical ragas," said Luva Nahid Choudhury.

"I had assumed that Bangladesh was ready for classical music. The artistes of this land perform Bangla songs very well. I was overwhelmed when I saw that around 60,000 people were listening to classical music in pin-drop silence for five nights in a row. I am gratified that my assessment has proved to be true. Bangladesh is an outstanding example as its people show love for music -- be it classical or Tagore song. This album is a proof of that," said Pt. Vijay Kichlu.

The event started off with a choral performance of Tagore song "Aji E Ananda Sondhya" by the artistes of Raktakarabi. The organiser and prime music trainer of the organisation, Shila Momen - who planned and researched for the album, elaborated on the stories behind the album. Pt. Vijay Kichlu has illustrated 42 ragas while Vidushi Subhra Guha has rendered them. The 12 Tagore songs along with the related ragas have been recorded for the maiden album. Other tracks will be published in the next albums.

Later, Shila Momen performed Raga Yaman and Kedar with Tagore songs -- "Ke Go Antorotoro Se" and "Probhu Amar Priyo Amar" while Vidushi Subhra Guha performed khyal at the programme.