Supported by Friendship NGO, the concert was streamed live on ‘The Horizon Sessions’ Facebook page. The series is being hosted by students and alumni of Sunbeams School in honour of late Niloufer Manzur, the founding principal of the school.
Enthralling the online audiences who joined from home and beyond, singer Chotu Khan performed several English tracks including 'Crazy Love', 'Rippled', 'Hallelujah' etc. - which were followed by the renowned drummer of legendary Bangladeshi band ‘Renaissance’, singer-composer Pilu Khan along with his son Dameer Khan, one of the organizers of the initiative. The father-son duo entertained the audiences with popular scores including 'He Bangladesh, Tomar Boyosh Holo Koto', 'Accha Keno Manushgulo', 'Ajker Shishu' etc.
Following their melodious renditions, singer and keyboardist Naquib Khan performed 'Orey Chhotobelar Sathi', 'Ei Mukhorito Jiboner Cholar Pothe', 'Valo Laage Jochhona Raate', A Chittagonian song titled 'Aaron Deshset Jaiyun' and 'Mon Shudhu Mon Chhuyechhe'.
The showstopper of night one, trailblazing Bangladeshi singer-music composer Habib performed 'Raat Nirghum', 'Omor Premer Kahini', and 'Prithibir Joto Shukh'.
During the performances, donors from home and abroad donated in this noble initiative, the organizers informed. The performing artists also urged the audiences to donate for the initiative.
The online music festival, kicked off on June 26, featured Zahra Zillur, Saif Anam, Sharaf Momen, Azaan Khan, Wasti Farzana Khan, Ashreen Mridha, Ace, Ayman Raakin, Shayan Husain, and Shafaat Mridha during its first week.
Night two of the festival’s second week will feature popular Bangladeshi music artist Arnob, Zohad Reza Chowdhury, Tashfee and Imran Rahman on Saturday 7.30 pm.
The donations collected from the series of virtual concerts will go towards building COVID-19 testing booths in rural areas and rebuilding homes, reservoirs, and embankments destroyed by Cyclone Amphan in the southern parts of Bangladesh.
Anyone can contribute to the cause by donating through Bkash and Nagad numbers given on The Horizon Sessions Facebook page. For international donations, bank account numbers are also given on the page along with a ‘GoFundMe’ campaign.