Chhayanaut paid tribute to legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed marking his 125th birth anniversary through a special edition of its Shrotar Ashor at the Chhayanaut auditorium in the capital on Tuesday evening.

The programme, which began at 6:30 pm with opening speeches by Chhayanaut President Dr Sarwar Ali, featured seven artistes performing Bengali songs from different musical traditions, including folk, Nazrul and traditional songs, highlighting the rich musical heritage associated with Abbasuddin Ahmed and other eminent composers and lyricists.

The participating artistes were Priyantu Deb, Suman Majumdar, Most Sarifa Khatun, Biman Chandra Biswas, Md Abul Kalam Azad, Chandana Majumdar and Kiran Chandra Roy.

Priyantu Deb opened his segment with ‘E Kon Modhur Sharab Dile’ and ‘Bosiya Nodikule, Elochule Ke Udasini’, both written by Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Suman Majumdar performed ‘Khatune-Jamat Fatema Janani’, ‘Tomar Akashe Uthechhilo Chand’ and ‘Sadh Jage Mone Porojibone’.

Most Sarifa Khatun presented folk songs including ‘Fande Poriya Boga’ and ‘O Ki Ekbar Asiya’, the latter associated with Abdul Karim.

Biman Chandra Biswas performed ‘Amay Eto Rate Kene Dak Dili’, based on the lyrics of Jasim Uddin, alongside ‘Gurur Pode Prem Bhakti Holo Na Mon’ and ‘Amar Har Kala Korlam Re’.

Md Abul Kalam Azad rendered ‘Nodir Kul Nai Kinar Nai Re’, ‘O Ki Gariyal Bhai’ and ‘Aro Nowdarita Moriya’, drawing on the country's folk music tradition.

Chandana Majumdar performed ‘Pran Sokhi Re’, ‘Nodir Naam Shoi Anjana’ and ‘Oi Na Majhi Bonete Lukaiyachhe’. ‘Nodir Naam Shoi Anjana’ features lyrics by Kazi Nazrul Islam and a tune by Abbasuddin Ahmed.

Kiran Chandra Roy presented ‘O Poraner Majhi’, ‘Konba Ronge Baidhyachho Ghor Khani’ and ‘Allah Megh De Pani De’, the last featuring a tune by Girish Chakraborty.

The programme was open to all and was also livestreamed on Chhayanaut’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Shrotar Ashor began as an intimate musical gathering soon after Chhayanaut was established in 1961. The initiative was revived at the organisation’s own cultural centre on June 20, 2007, the birth anniversary of its founding President, poet Sufia Kamal.

The programme aims to cultivate attentive listeners and promote the country’s musical heritage through performances by established and emerging artistes.