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Mellow melodies on a cosy evening

Renaissance performs at Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre

Jamil Mahmud
It was a comfortable Saturday evening in Dhaka and around 300 people were waiting eagerly for some good music. Known for its mellow melodies, the seasoned band Renaissance was to entertain the audience.
Featuring Renaissance, Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), High Commission of India arranged the concert to celebrate its 2nd anniversary. The concert was held at IGCC's Dhanmondi office on March 10.
Although the honking of vehicles on the street nearby often overlapped, Renaissance songs were surely dominating the airwaves.
Starting with the ever-familiar patriotic number "Purba Digante Shurjo Uthechhe", the concert soon reached a momentum when the band performed its original song “Hey Bangladesh".
Renaissance has covered the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra classic in its tribute album “71-er Renaissance".
Highlighting failed promises of the Liberation War, “Hey Bangladesh" [from the album "Ekush Shatake Renaissance] is a signature song of the band with passionate rhythm and tempo.
Tribute to the motherland went on till the third number, when the band performed an unreleased track from the upcoming album "Akash Amar, Jyotsna
While the first few songs were homage to Bangladesh, the band soon moved to its familiar territory with “Runway'r Mati Chhuye”, “"Achchha Keno Manushgulo”, “O NodireTui Jash Kothare” and “Chirodin Bhabte Paro".
Pilu Khan's vocals during the rendition of "Achchha Keno Manushgulo” and
Nakib Khan's evergreen voice with harmonisation by the rest of the members during the cover of "Runway'r Mati Chhuye” seemingly made the audience nostalgic.
The band — a group of seasoned musicians who are significantly established in different sectors — created some remarkable moments when it covered several international classics. Especially Pilu was outstanding in the Louis Armstrong number "What a Wonderful World". The band also covered Van Morrison, George Harrison and John Lennon numbers at the concert.
Professor Imran Rahman sang a Van Morrison song, while Pilu again stole the spotlight through the rendition of the John Lennon classic "Imagine”
A cover of George Harrison's “Bangladesh” was a treat.
Apart from its subtle, melodic sounds, Renaissance is also known for reggae beats with successful harmonisation. Songs such as "Bhalo Laage”, "Hridoy Kadamatir Murti Noy” and "Aaj Je Shishu” are known for impressive harmonisation.
The audience surely missed Munna, who died several months earlier. Munna was known for his harmonica skills.
Credits should also go to Hablu for his skills on congo, while Pilu created soft drum beats.
"Aro Desho Jayio Bondhu", a folk song from the Chittagong region, was also on the band's repertoire. The show ended with “Mon Shudhu Mon Chhuyechhe” — a request from the audience. Nakib Khan originally composed the tune.
Cultural Minister Abul Kalam Azad and newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran, among others, enjoyed the concert as guests.