Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Hawaiian Guitar Shilpi Parishad (BHGSP), hosted a captivating musical programme titled 'An Evening of Hawaiian Guitar' on Saturday at its Auditorium Nouvelle Vague in the capital’s Dhanmondi.

The evening enthralled audiences with soulful performances by 14 skilled artists, who presented a diverse repertoire of classical, folk and contemporary compositions.

Through their signature slide melodies and soothing tonal beauty, the performers highlighted the instrument’s versatility and cultural depth.

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Rashed Ahmed, Chief News Editor of Maasranga Television, attended the event as the chief guest. The programme was presided over by Guitar Guru Md Hasanur Rahman Bachchu, president of BHGSP.

Founded in 1992, the Bangladesh Hawaiian Guitar Shilpi Parishad has been at the forefront of popularising the Hawaiian guitar in Bangladesh. 

Its roots go back to 1990 when the National Hawaiian Guitar Festival Council, with support from the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA), organised a landmark three-day festival featuring noted guitarists including Panna Ahmed, Enamul Kabir, Akram Hossain, Syed Lutful Haque, Hasanur Rahman Bacchu, and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Bidhu.

BHGSP has since then continued its efforts to inspire appreciation for the Hawaiian guitar, nurture emerging talents, and foster cultural harmony through concerts, workshops and collaborations.