The soulful strains of Ustad Azizul Islam’s flute filled the Artist Club Lounge at Banani on Tuesday as Artist Club Limited hosted its first classical music evening as part of its regular cultural programme, “Iconic Tuesday.”

The evening featured a solo flute recital by Ekushey Padak recipient Ustad Azizul Islam who took the audience on a musical journey through a selection of classical ragas.

Sujit Mustafa, president of Artist Club Limited, opened the programme by introducing Ustad Azizul Islam to the audience and conducted the evening.

The veteran flautist began his recital with Raga Yaman, followed by Raga Shri.

He then performed Raga Hamir and Raga Jaijaiwanti, both of which are associated with songs composed by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

He later presented Khamaj Dhun before concluding the evening with Raga Bhatiyali.

Among those attending were AHM Mostafizur Rahman, senior member and adviser of Artist Club, dancer Munmun Ahmed, and other distinguished members of the cultural community.

Ustad Azizul Islam, one of Bangladesh’s noted classical flautists, was born on May 2, 1944, in Rajbari. He developed a deep interest in the flute from an early age.

After studying at Chittagong Muslim High School and Chittagong College, he attended the Bangladesh Marine Academy and later pursued a career as a captain of ocean-going merchant vessels.

His musical training includes lessons from Pandit Priyada Ranjan Sengupta, Ustad Belayet Ali Khan and Ustad Bahadur Khan. He later received guidance from Pandit Debendra Muddeshwar and Pandit V.G. Karnad, both disciples of renowned flautist Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, who remains a major inspiration in his musical journey.

Over the course of his long career, Ustad Azizul Islam has performed solo flute in Bangladesh and on international stages, including in India, Singapore and Australia.

His performances have also been featured by major Bangladeshi cultural institutions, including the Bangladesh National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television.

In recognition of his contribution to music, he received the Ekushey Padak in 2017.