With an aim to promote traiitional cultural practices, a new audio-visual company 'Bahirana' made its debut on July 5. The launching ceremony v/as held at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum. The programme also included launching of the band Leela's debut album "Nayak." Eminent person-hiiliiies including singers, critics and cultural activists attended the event

A discussion was the highligl t of the programme. Khalekur Rahman Arko, chief executive officer, Bahirana gave the welcome speech that was followed

by launch of the album "Nayak." Veteran artiste Ajit Roy unveiled the album.

Among others, Professor Anu Muhammad; Professor Ahmed Kamal; M. Enamul Haque; journalist Faruk Wasif; Professor Piash Karim; gana sangeet' artiste Kamruddin Absar and leader of the band Leela, Arup Rahi spoke at the programme.

"It would be great if people start purchasing more music albums rather than illegally downloading songs, and help implementing the copyright law," said Rahi at the programme.

In his speech Professor Kamal said, ‘Culture is the soul of a nation. Through

culture the sorrows, pain and bliss of a nation are sketched. A song is the most effective medium to articulate these emotions."

The album "Nayak" features ten songs, including two Lalon Geeti "Lanthan" and "Pakhi." The Lalon songs, featured in the album, are the band's homage to the mystic bard. Other songs in the album include "Shonar kishan," "Piasha," title song "Nayak" and "Yasmin,” an ode to Yasmin of Dinajapur.

Apart from Lalon songs, the rest are written and composed by Arup Rahi. Music house Agniveena will distribute thealbum.