Bangla Band Music Widely Accepted in Bangladesh

Band music is very popular among the youth of Bangladesh. This kind of music was introduced in Bangladesh more than thirty years ago and had been gradually winning adherents among the younger generation. Now it is on the way to being accepted as a part of the country’s cultural heritage.

The officials of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy stated this at the inaugural session of the two-day programme of band music, organised by the academy at its National Theatre Hall in Segun Bagicha on Sunday. The academy’s director general Qamrul Hasan, director of dance and music, Sunil Chandra Das and director of dramatics and film, Shafi Kamal spoke at the inaugural day of the programme.

Qamrul Hasan said that the band music during the last thirty years has acquired a strong foundation in Bangladesh. ‘We should not ignore this genre of music,’ he continued, ‘during this time of globalisation the Bangladeshi band music should be practised mingling local heritage with modern instruments.’ He hoped for further development of band music in Bangladesh and assured that the academy would continue its support in promoting band music among the young people of the country.

Sunil Chandra Das said that for the first time the academy arranged programme of band music to meet the demand of young audience. ‘The academy works for the development and nourishment of healthy music. Terming the band music as a new trend in the country’s cultural tradition, he said, ‘We have arranged this programme to fulfil the academy’s commitment to support quality music.’ Shafi Kamal said that this was the proper time to narrow the gap between the academy and younger generation. ‘Band music is no longer an alien culture. Band music has gradually struck roots in our society since after the independence of Bangladesh,’ he said. Kamal also laid emphasis on the pursuit of healthy band music.

The inaugural session was followed by the performances of poplar groups LRB, Feedback and Face to Face. Two music bands Steeler and Parthib also performed at the programme. The groups delighted a packed audience inside the hall singing their popular numbers.