Over 200 Bangladeshi musicians will come together to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine during this year’s Pahela Baishakh procession, singing the iconic lines: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
The announcement came at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Seminar Room of the National Theatre Hall in Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) where Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared some details of this year's Chaitra Sangkranti and Pahela Baishakh festivities, calling the initiative a “symbolic yet powerful gesture for peace.”
“During this Pahela Baishakh we want to stand with the people of Palestine,” Farooki said. “Through music, we will express our wish for a peaceful world.”
Prominent members of the country’s music scene and members of BAMBA (Bangladesh Musical Bands Association) including Foad Nasser Babu of Feedback, Kazi Faisal Ahmed and George Lincoln D’Costa of Artcell, Tonmoy Tansen of Vikings, Nigar Sultana Sumi of Lalon, Pinky Chiran of all female band F-Minor, Prottoy from the Rangamati-based band Invocation, and Dalchhut’s manager and lyricist Shahan Kabondho among others attended the press conference.
Farooki said over 200 musicians, specifically guitarists, are expected to participate and BAMBA is actively engaging its member bands to join spontaneously.
He called on the guitarists and rhythm musicians in and around Dhaka to bring their instruments and take part in the celebration and protest.
He urged everyone attending the rally to carry a Palestinian flag, saying, “This year, the world is awaiting to see a new version of our Pahela Baishakh celebrations in this new and inclusive Bangladesh, and we believe the procession including our band musicians will be significant to this year’s celebration because no one else could have taken this stand for the oppressed Palestinians, the way they did.”
Warfaze frontman Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu, speaking on behalf of BAMBA and the broader rock and band musicians' community, highlighted the historic nature of their participation.
“Traditionally, the Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Baishakh events have not included our band musicians over the years. This year, for the first time, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have invited us to be part of it - for which we are deeply grateful,” Tipu said.
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He shared that BAMBA, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Cultural Affairs Ministry will host a grand concert on April 13, marking the Chaitra Sankranti at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
Tipu expressed concerns on the global unrest, especially the atrocities in Palestine, and emphasised the musicians' collective message of peace regarding their inclusion this year at the Pahela Baishakh procession.
“We want a peaceful world. That’s why we’re taking part in the Baishakh's procession and will sing together in the hope of a better future," Tipu said.