Although it rained for several days in the first week of November, passionate music lovers were as assiduous as they were before attending musical soirees organised by Star Melodies.

Commemorating 25 years of The Daily Star, Star Melodies held a special musical programme, paying tribute to 25 noted composers of Bangla Nagorik songs at AS Mahmud Hall of The Daily Star.

This was the first segment of the soiree that featured performances of songs composed by Tagore, DL Roy, Atulprasad Sen, Rajanikanta Sen, Kazi Nazrul Islam along with stalwarts Raichand Boral, Sailesh Dutta Gupta, Sachin Dev Burman, Himangshu Dutta, and Kamal Dasgupta.

Renowned singers Shaheen Samad, Sumon Chowdhury, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Laisa Ahmed

Lisa and Nasima Shaheen rendered songs of the golden era.

Laisa Ahmed Lisa set off the event with a Tagore Song "Tomarei Koriachhi Jibiner Dhrubotara”. She also beautifully rendered several songs "Malay Ashia Koye Gechhey" (DL Roy), "Ke Go Gahile Poth-e" (Atulprasad) and "Jagao Pothikey" (Rajanikanta). The improvisational and masterful rendition of the song

"Jagao Pothikey" earned Lisa rounds of applause.

Fahim Hossain Chowdhury started off with a DL Roy song "Oi Mohasindhur OparThekey". He also sang a Tagore song and a popular song "Enechhi Amar Shoto Jonomer Prem" composed by Sailesh Dutta Gupta; he stood out in rendering the song "Tomari Potho Paney Chahi", composed by

sur sagar Himangshu Dutta.

Seasoned artiste Sumon Chowdhury loves to add interesting information prior to performing any song. Other artistes also followed suit at the event. He melodi-cally performed a Rajanikanta number "Ami Akriti Adhom" set on an intermingling of Ragas - Behag and Khamaj. He beautifully performed a Kazi Nazrul Islam song "Aji E

Kushum Haar" and a Raichand Boral number. He won many hearts with his brilliant performance of a Sachin Dev Burman song “KaNdibona Phagun Gele".

Nasima Shaheen commenced her part with a raga-based Nazrul Sangeet "Bhoria Poran Shunitechhi Gaan”. She also rendered three others songs including a Kamal Dasgupta song "Jani Bahirey Amar Tumi Ontorey Nou".

Ekushey Padak recipient versatile singer Shaheen Samad performed four songs -"Ke Tumi Boshi", "Eto Joi O Kajal”, "Tumi Je Giyachho" and one of her favourite songs "Tumi Ki Ekhon Dekhichho Swapan" that she recorded with Kaderi Kibria. The soiree wrapped up with a choral rendition of a DL Roy song "Dhono Dhanno Pushpa Bhora".

Biswajit Sarkar (tabla), Rooptanu Das Sharma (keyboard) Ekram (esraj), Dipan (guitar) and Mitu (octopad) accompanied the entire performance instrumentally.

Sadya Afreen Mallick compared the programme, sharing relevant anecdotes of the songs in between performances. Among distinguished guests, Nilufar Mahmud -wife of Mediaworld's founding Managing Director AS Mahmud, spoke at the event.

The programme was organised with assistance from Simantic Creative Concern and Eastern Bank Limited. Iftekharul Islam, on behalf of Simantic, elaborated on Bangla Nagorik songs.