It was a houseful auditorium of National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the evening of December 10 when noted Bangladeshi vocalist Priyanka Gope and Indian Sarangi artiste Allarakha Kalavant enthralled the audience with their solo rendition and recital of classical music.

Priyanka Gope set off the soiree with a chhoto khyal based on Raga Charukeshi. The jugalbandi-style performance contained beautiful ragdari both in vocal and sarangi. Priyanka mesmerised the audience with her speedy akar and sargam taan together with murki. The devotional bandish ‘Gao Rasna Hari Guna Gao" was on teentaal. Iftekhar Alam Pradhan on tabla and Debasish Adhikary on harmonium accompanied the presentation.

Allarakha next performed a solo piece based on Raga Behag. He also rendered amidst his recital of an old bandish. Soumen Sarkar accompanied the artiste on tabla producing several rounds of beats.

Priyanka later performed a melodious

thumri set on Raga Manj Khamaj. She also performed a dadra on Raga Baroa and some semi-classical pieces based on Ragas Kalavati, Mishra Jog and Sohini. Allarakha too played a popular thumri, "Yaad Piya Ki Aaye" at the programme.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) with overall assistance from High Commission of India in Dhaka organised the event. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor graced the occasion as chief guest while Jayashree Kundu, Director of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre attended the event as special guest. Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General of BSA, delivered welcome address at the event.

"The practice and performance classical music was on the wane in the middle; but, the thanks to the regular events of world's biggest Bengal Classical Music Festival, the good days are coming back. I personally initiated the cultural exchange programme between Bangladesh and India and sincerely hope that this continuation will make people of these two friendly nations come closer," said Asaduzzaman Noor.