With a view to creating awareness and raising funds for the flood victims, Banglalink, a private cellphone operator, will organise a music festival on August 17-18.

Noted singers and musicians of the country will perform live in the two-day 'banglalink desh music fest 2007' at Fantasy Kingdom, a theme park near Dhaka.

"The country is undergoing a catastrophic situation due to flood and all should come forward to face the situation," said Solaiman Alam, senior manager, public relation and communication, Banglalink, while addressing a press conference at Spectra Convention Centre in the city yesterday.

Solaiman also said the festival will create a platform for the music celebrities of the country where they can motivate people to extend their helping hands towards the flood affected, Solaiman added.

"The proceeds from the event will be donated to the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund," he added.

He also urged all Banglalink customers to donate for the flood victims through sending short message services (SMS) that will be deposited at the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund.

Banglalink customers will have to write 'help' and send SMS to 1010 to donate Tk 10.00 (vat inclusive) for each SMS for the flood victims.

Concord Group, Channel i, Radio Foorti, SAS-a sound and recording company and amadergaan.com are the partners of the festival.

Speaking at the press conference, Faridur Reza Sagar, managing director of Channel i, urged all to cooperate in combating natural disasters like flood.

Eminent artists Ayub Bachchu and Maksud, Shahriar Kamal, deputy managing director, Concord Group and Sayyied Kabir, chief executive officer of Radio Foorti, also spoke on the occasion hosted by singer Alif.

A total of 31 band group, including LRB, Miles, Warfaze, Souls, Feedback, Maksud o Dhaka, Aurthohin, Artcell, Bangladesh, Pentagon, Lalon, Raga, Nemesis, Black, Dolchut, Shironamhin, Tahsan and Friends along with Hyder Hussain, Kaniz, Mehreen and James will perform in the festival.