Eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya has sought the support of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in nurturing the slum children with education and life-changing competencies and skills. Rezwana, also principal and chairman of Shurer Dhara and team leader of the Music for Development (MfD), paid a courtesy visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in the capital Sunday. During the meeting, Rezwana informed Faruque about the objectives and activities of MfD, a project of Shurer Dhara, to change the lives of children growing up in Dhaka slums. Read More: BGMEA urges global brands, buyers to adopt strategies for promoting mutual growth BGMEA President Faruque Hassan expressed the interest of the trade association in supporting slum children under the Music for Development Project. This project aims at providing a cultural platform to underprivileged children by bringing them under the umbrella of Shurer Dhara. Faruque highlighted the initiatives and activities of the BGMEA in supporting the backward sections of society, especially in creating opportunities for higher education for female garment workers. He said the BGMEA in collaboration with Asian University for Women (AUW) has created higher education opportunities for girls working in garment factories. "Currently, more than 90 young female workers have enrolled in the Asian University for Women to pursue higher studies." Read More: Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US rises 51% during January-September Also, the trade association runs five schools in Dhaka, Gazipur and Chittagong for workers' children and provides free books, study materials and stipends to meritorious students.

Aurthohin, Bangladesh's one of the top and fan-favourite bands, finally returned with a brand new music video "Amar E Gaan" Wednesday after six years. The band remained inactive for four years and has not released any new music videos in the last six years due to the physical condition of its founding frontman Saidus Salehin Khaled, also popularly known as Bassbaba Sumon. Sumon returned to the music scene last year and Aurthohin began performing in several concerts this year. The Aurthohin frontman said they are going to release their new album "Phoenix er Diary-1" this year and part two will be released next year. Read more: Aurthohin's ex-drummer Rumi Rahman dies The music video for Amar E Gaan premiered on the YouTube channel of Bassbaba Sumon and Aurthohin, starring Imtiaz Borshon and the members of Aurthohin. The song, tuned by Sumon and written by Md Imtiazul Anwar and Sumon himself, has been garnering critical acclaim from the fans on social media since its release. "Amar E Gaan is not just a song. It's not just a music video. It is sheer love and respect to all Aurthohin fans for the unconditional love and support they have given us throughout our best and worst times," Aurthohin said. Tuesday, the band announced the release and details of Amar E Gaan at Samsung's BTI Landmark showroom in the capital's Gulshan Avenue. At the event, Sumon said: "We have not been together and created new music for almost four years. Creating new music from that state was the first challenge, as Aurthohin's songs have always been focused on melody and meaningful lyrics. We wanted to make the song in such a way that the listeners can relate the song to themselves." "I have been overwhelmed by the support of our fans, as I have recently returned to music from a challenging time in my life. From us, this song is a tribute to all of our fans and admirers," Sumon added. Read more: “Boyosh Holo Amar”: Bassbaba Sumon returns with new song

Continuing its successful legacy of hosting early winter concerts for the rock music lovers in the capital, Brandmyth Experiential is organising ‘November Rain Volume 2’ at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) Expo Zone in the capital. The concert, scheduled to groove the rock music fans on November 12, is showcasing an ensemble line-up of 10 esteemed bands in the country: Aurthohin, Artcell, Black, Cryptic Fate, Viking, Chirkutt, Indalo, Meghdol, Ashes and Powersurge. A press conference was held at The Daily Star center on Tuesday, where the organisers briefed the journalists with the event details. Also read: Nora Fatehi finally gets permission in Bangladesh “The maiden edition of our ‘November Rain’ concert series, which featured some of the biggest artists in the nation, was held on the same date the previous year. We have then successfully organized the 25th anniversary concert of the popular band Shironamhin with overwhelmingly positive reception, and now we're ready to entertain band music fans with the ‘November Rain Volume 2’ this coming Saturday,” the organisers said at the press conference. It was announced that the Artcell, Black, Cryptic Fate – collectively known as the 'ABC' generation during the golden era of these popular bands between 2000 and 2010 - will once again enthrall their fans on November Rain Volume 2, with some exclusive collaborative performances including a special song titled ‘Ashirbad.’ Meghdol vocalist Shibu Kumer Shill praised the initiative behind the event, saying, "Our generation has huge expectations for these types of concerts. The band music scene in Bangladesh experienced a severe loss because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this type of mega concerts can benefit the bands and the artists.” Also read: 'Dhaka Classics Japanese Recital' enthrals audience at Japanese mission Brandmyth mentioned that unlike the previous edition of ‘November Rain,’ this year the concert will be an open-air concert to entertain more audiences. The venue has been divided into two separate zones - Myth Zone and Rockers Zone, and two tiers of tickets, worth 1050 tk and 550 tk, are available for the concert at the getsetrock.com website. The venue will be welcoming the concert-goers from 1 pm, according to the organisers.

Music lovers in Dhaka turned out at the series premiere of ‘Ei Somoy’, an exclusive series of concerts, at the Liberation War Museum auditorium on Friday (October 14, 2022). ‘Chapter One’ of this series had seven popular bands perform live – Meghdol, Avash, Shonar Bangla Circus, Shohojia, Shohortoli, Bangla Five and Apekkhik – captivating the packed auditorium from 3 pm till 10 pm. Organised by Acoustica and powered by Metal Freak T-Shirt, the concert began with the performances of Apekkhik. The autumnal afternoon was then greeted by Bangla Five, enthralling the fans with their popular tracks including “Left Right.” Sohortoli performed their fan-favourites after Bangla Five. Shohojia came up next with their popular tracks “Chhoto Pakhi,” “Ma,” “Jadukor” and more. Read: Kabir Suman 'to go ahead with concerts in Dhaka' Fans enjoyed the songs by Shonar Bangla Circus next, known for their unique line-up and majestic theatrical performances. Vocalist Probar Ripon delivered one after another hit of the band, including “Ondho Deyal,” “Ami Valobashi Tomake,” “Mrittu Utpadon Karkhana” and more, alongside the captivating instrumental performances of his bandmates. Avash with Tanzir Tuhin was up next, covering a couple of popular tracks including “Prithibita Naki Chhoto Hotey Hotey” by the Indian Bangla band Moheener Ghoraguli, alongside originals including “Avash” and “Nishchup Adhar.” Meghdol, the showstopper band of the night, then took the stage and had the crowd singing along to “Esho Amar Shohore,” “Kichhu Bishad Hok Pakhi,” “Nirban,” and ended the show with their latest track “E Hawa” from their upcoming album ‘Aluminum er Dana.’ “We did this arrangement with some psychedelic bands for the first chapter, and in coming days, new bands will be added to this event,” said Saikot Biswas Tutul, coordinator of the concert. Beyond the capital, ‘Ei Somoy’ will move forward in different parts of the country, he added.

Band shows and live concerts are back in the city in full swing, and the band music lovers were mesmerized by two fantabulous shows at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Friday.  At ICCB’s Hall 4 (Novoratri), seven popular bands grooved the audiences while showcasing a befitting tribute to the riverine beauty of Bangladesh at the ‘Nodi Rocks Season 1’ concert. Focusing on the issue of climate change, the concert was initiated by Salt Creatives while hosted by Brandmyth Experiential, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, and facilitated by the Manusher Jonno Foundation.   Seven of the popular Bangladeshi bands - Arbovirus, Cryptic Fate, Chirkutt, Ashes, Smooches, Bangla Five and F Minor, who have previously performed in seven music videos on seven Bangladeshi rivers - Padma, Chitra, Kushiyara, Dahuk, Pashur, Buriganga and Sangu, performed at the concert.

The MTV Video Music Awards are back Sunday with some of the biggest names in music vying for the network's fabled Moon Person statue. Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow and Kendrick Lamar are tied for leading nominees with seven apiece. Harlow and Lil Nas X's collaboration “Industry Baby” propelled their nominations, landing them in competition for artist of the year along with Drake, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Lizzo. Closely behind are Harry Styles and Doja Cat, who received six nominations apiece, while Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Tayler Swift and The Weeknd each have five. Harlow is pulling double duty, joining LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj as the show's emcees. The VMAs are being being held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and will air beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Also read: Elton John and Britney Spears unite on a new dance single Minaj will perform hits from throughout her career and accept the show’s video vanguard award, which MTV has said she’s receiving for her artistry, barrier-breaking hip-hop and status as a global superstar. The honor is named after Michael Jackson. Eminem, Snoop Dogg, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bad Bunny are also set to perform Madonna, who is the most awarded artist in MTV history with 20 wins, becomes the only artist to receive a nomination in each of the VMAs five decades. She earned her 69th nomination for her 14th studio album “Madame X.” Also read: Leon Vitali, Stanley Kubrick's right-hand man, dies at 74 Lamar returns to the VMAs as a nominee for the first time since 2018, with nods for best hip-hop, direction, visual effects, editing, and a category known as video for good, while his songs “family ties” and “N95” are competing for best cinematography.

Envisioning a noteworthy publication dedicated to the rich culture of band music genre in Bangladesh, the first Bangladeshi band encyclopedia titled 'Banglar Rock Metal’ is set to be unveiled on Friday at Baatighar, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital. Authored by journalist Haque Faruk and writer Milu Aman, the book not only carries a chronological history of the gradual development of the Bangladeshi band scene but also the authentic profile of 180 bands with their discography. From their collective experiences of the authors as music journalists and writers in the past two decades combined with almost two years of relentless efforts, 'Banglar Rock Metal' is said to be the encyclopedia the band music enthusiasts needed, according to the book’s co-author Haque Faruk. Read:Wind of 'Hawa' blows full Sharing the journey with UNB, Haque said that he has spent hours at the archive section of different libraries apart from his regular professional responsibilities as a full-time journalist. “It has always been a dream project for us as band music enthusiasts, and we worked passionately hard to fine-tune this book from time to time.” Haque informed that to write this book, the duo not only depended on the existing-secondary documents but also recorded the history through the first-person narration of the living band members. "To ensure the accurate presentation of every band’s history, we have crosschecked the information with all the existing and even the former members of the bands who are still alive. We had to conquer the hurdles to find and contact some of the musicians from the past who had been almost forgotten from the band music scene and have been living in different parts of the world for decades now. Still, we managed to document them because of their cordial cooperation.” Read Music Alliance Bangladesh cancels 'National Music Festival and Conference' in Sylhet Published by Aajob Prokash along with a special poster, the book cover is designed by Niaz Ahmed Aungshu. Mustafiz Karigar made the cover typography, while the essential graphics are done by Kousik Zaman. Joy Shahriar, a renowned musician and founder of Aajob Prokash said, ‌"Preorders are open till launching but we have already started receiving overwhelming response from the band-music fans, and we hope the first-print copies of the book would stock out pretty soon, once the book is officially launched." 'Banglar Rock Metal' can be preordered via the Facebook page of Aajob Prokash at a discounted price. The printed price of this 450-page hardbound book, band encyclopedia, is Tk 1000 and available for preorder at Rokomari dot com. Read Bongo brings Bangla dubbed 'Kaalidas'

On the occasion of the second death anniversary of the legendary Andrew Kishore, hailed as the 'Playback King' and widely regardd as one of the most iconic voices of Bangladesh, eminent media personality Hanif Sanket recalled his friendship with the late singer and asserted as much he was a great artist, he was a compassionate human being as well. “Today is the second death anniversary of my friend Andrew Kishore. It has been two years since his passing - he is undoubtedly an asset to Bangla Music whose voice was brighter than his fame. People loved him for his songs,” the host of Bangladesh’s most popular magazine programme ‘Ittyadi’ poured his emotional tribute through a Facebook post on Wednesday. Since 1989, Hanif Sanket directed-hosted satire magazine show ‘Ittyadi’ is the longest-running show in the Bangladeshi television industry and also the longest-running magazine show in the world, and Andrew Kishore was a regular cast member of the show as a singer with many solo and group songs, and popular singles such as “Padma Patar Pani Noy” and more. Sharing an old image with his late friend and another image standing beside Kishore’s grave, Hanif Sanket wrote: “A great singer who could sing with his flamboyant and melodic voice with an open heart, Kishore also had the ability to mix with people with his open soul. He was an ideal artist, a compassionate human who can only be compared with himself.” “Through all of his amazing songs, Andrew Kishore’s legacy will be carried forward from generation to generation. My dear friend, I haven't forgotten you - I won't forget - I can't forget. Be in peace, wherever you are,” Hanif Sanket wrote. Born to Khitish Chandra Baroi and Minu Baroi on November 4, 1955, at Rajshahi in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), Kishore, a Christian by birth, passed away on July 6, 2020, due to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Kishore's great adventure in Dhallywood began with the film 'Mail Train' (1977). 'Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu,' composed by Saley Alam Khan, was his debut playback song. After receiving critical recognition for the song 'Ek Chor Jay Chole' penned by Alam Khan in 'Protigga' (1979), Kishore never had to look back on his great musical career. Remembered by music lovers for his iconic tracks including “Jiboner Golpo, Achhe Baki Olpo,” “Amar Buker Moddhe Khane,” “Dak Diyachhen Doyal Amare,” “Hayre Manush Rongin Fanush,” “Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati,” “Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechilam Gaan,” “Bhengeche Pinjor, Meleche Dana,” “Bhalobese Gelam Shudhu,” “Shobai To Bhalobasha Chae” and more - Andrew Kishore has performed approximately 15,000 songs throughout his legendary career. For his tremendous contribution to the film industry of the country, Andrew Kishore won Bangladesh National Film Award eight times as the ‘Best Male Playback Singer’ for ‘Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo’ (1982), ‘Surrender’ (1987), ‘Khotipuron’ (1989), ‘Padma Meghna Jamuna’ (1991), ‘Kabul’ (1996), ‘Aaj Gaye Holud’ (2000), ‘Saajghor’ (2007) and ‘Ki Jadu Korila’ (2008); alongside five prestigious Bachsas Awards and three Meril-Prothom Alo Awards, to name a few.

Music Alliance Bangladesh (Sangeet Oikya Bangladesh) has cancelled its upcoming "National Music Festival and Conference" in Sylhet due to the catastrophic flood in the division. The month-long festival and conference were scheduled to be held on June 24 at Sylhet Shilpakala Academy. Shahid Mahmud Jangi, one of the general secretaries of the organisation and president of Geetikabi Sangha Bangladesh, said due to the worst floods in two decades in northeastern Bangladesh, Music Alliance Bangladesh feels the urge to stand by the people by not holding any festival or conference. Music Alliance Bangladesh lifted the curtain on a nationwide month-long music festival and conference at Zilla Shilpakala Academy, Chattogram Friday. Read: Alliance Française de Dhaka pays tribute to Tagore-Nazrul

Turkish Embassy in Dhaka has celebrated the essence of Bangladeshi cuisine and music with a musical soiree and dinner at the Turkish Residence. The ‘musical encounter’ was part of a series of 'encounters' or engagements in different categories organised by the Embassy and initiated by Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan. The evening was a means of appreciating the food and music of Bangladesh and also showing a glimpse of it to those who are not as familiar with either. Also read: Turkish citizen who arrived at Shahjalal does not have monkeypox The event held on Friday was preceded by other similar chapters as culinary encounters and Sufi encounters as a means to fortify the affiliation between Bangladesh and Turkey through meaningful experiences. The programme featured classical recitals of sarod and tabla, followed by renditions of songs of Rabindranath Tagore. The menu had a range of flavourful Bangladeshi dishes, including mutton kacchi and wrapping up with the comfort of traditional sweets. Also read: Turkish envoy meets Fakhrul, talks about next polls