Press Release
March 10, 2013
A Musical Evening by Mr. Partha Barua, Mrs. Samina Chowdhury, Mr. Naquib Khan and Mr. Shahbaz Khan (Pilu)
at Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre at Dhanmondi in Dhaka
at 6:30 PM on March 15, 2013
Indira Gandhi Culture Centre in association with the State Bank of India in Bangladesh and Channel i as Media Partners is organising A Musical Evening by top Bangladeshi musical exponents, Mr. Partha Barua, Mrs. Samina Chowdhury, Mr. Naquib Khan and Mr. Pilu Khan at 6:30 PM on March 15, 2013 at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, H.No. 24, Rd. No. 2, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Mr. Partha Barua, lead singer of the popular Bangladesh band, "SOULS", commenced his musical career in 1989 with the release of his first album with the band in the same year. When Partha Barua joined "SOULS", he initiated focus on Contemporary Bangla Music combined with Western music. In 1993, SOULS released its album "Ay Amon Porichoy" and followed it soon with the album "Aj din Katuk Ganey" that was a raging hit. With entry into the new millennium in the year 2000, "SOULS" under Partha Barua blended its music into a new distinct dimension that while retaining the signature of melody, carried its travel in time. In the year 2006, SOULS won the Best Band award by "Meril Prothom Alo" Star Awards. "SOULS" led by Mr. Partha Barua recently participated in the prestigious 6th South Asian Band Festival in Delhi and Jaipur in December under ICCR sponsorship that saw participation of top Rock Bands from almost all countries of South Asia. The concerts of "SOULS" in India were deeply appreciated.
Born in Dinajpur of Bangladesh to Late Mahmud-un-Nabi, the legendary Modern Song exponent of this country, Ms. Samina Chowdhury commenced her professional musical career in 1981 with the song—"Jonmo Theke Jolchi Maago" in the film, "Jonmo Theke Jolchi". Subsequently, Ms. Chowdhury had launched herself in a steadily progressive musical career graph to assume tremendous popularity through her renditions of Modern Songs both in Bangladesh and abroad. She has released 12 musical albums till date.
Ms. Samina Chowdhury is the proud recipient of the National Film Award for the Best Female Singer in 2006, Best Female Singer Award from the "Bachosas" Jounalist Association in 1981 and the First Prize for Patriotic Songs in the Reality Show—"Notun Kuri" in 1977. She has also directed several musical programmes, social awareness documentaries and has been a judge of reality shows like Close Up1, Khude Gaan Raaj etc. She is the Brand Ambassador for Save the Children Bangladesh. Ms. Chowdhury has also travelled abroad extensively for performances to UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Sweden, UAE, Qatar, Germany, India, Seoul and Pakistan.
Growing up in a musically-inclined family, with a music director/composer for an elder brother Ziloo Khan and younger brother Pilu Khan, Mr. Naquib Khan's passion for music came naturally. The piano accordion became his companion at a very young age, which was later replaced by the keyboard when Naquib and his elder brother started playing in a band called 'BALARK'. After 'Balark' broke up in 1974, Naquib went on to join 'SOULS'. After moving to Dhaka permanently, Naquib, his younger brother and a few friends went on to form 'Renaissance' in 1985, which took the music scene by storm with its first album released in 1988. 'Renaissance' went on to release several albums-- most of the songs like 'Bhalo lagey joshna raate', 'O Nodirey' 'Accha keno manushgulo', 'Hridoy kadamatir kono murti noy', 'Tumi ki aaj Bondhu' etc, which were composed by Naquib acclaimed appreciation from all corners. Some of the songs raised voices about social and political issues while others were melodious ballads. Under the leadership of Naquib, 'Renaissance' released a remake album 'Ekatturer Renaissance' in 1998 and subsequently released its 4th album with original Bangla songs in 2004, which was awarded 'Citycell-Channel i Music award' in Band category. Naquib's first solo album named 'Shwapno Jarano' released in 1989 and after 20 years, he was accompanied by his daughter in his latest solo album 'Brishtir Raat', released in 2009. One of his compositions, 'Jodi lakshwa thakey otut', the theme song of a reality show 'Close-up1 raised him to a new height of popularity. He performed at numerous concerts in and outside Bangladesh, the most outstanding one being at Los Angeles.
Mr. Shahbaz Khan (Pilu) is one of the senior most musicians and a multifaceted talent in the country with unique combination of being a drummer, singer and composer. He is considered as one of the best and most versatile drummers in Bangladesh. Starting his music career in the 1970s, he was the drummer of the country's iconic band "Souls" from 1980 – 84. He is one of the founder members of the band "Renaissance" and is actively involved with "Renaissance" since its inception in 1985 till to date as a drummer, singer and composer. He is a melodious composer whose compositions have universal appeal and attract audience all over the world. He had been awarded the Best Music Director Award in the Citycell - Channel i Music Award 2005 and was one of the judges of the first ever Musician Hunt Reality show in the country " Nescafe Get Set Rock" .
You are cordially invited to participate in the forthcoming Musical Evening by Mr. Partha Barua, Mrs. Samina Chowdhury, Mr. Naquib Khan and Mr. Shahbaz Khan (Pilu) at 6:30PM on March 15, 2013, at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, H.No. 24, Rd. No. 2, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Entry is open (There is no need to collect Invitation Pass). No bag allowed within the premise of IGCC for the concert.
*****
High Commission of India
Cultural Centre
House No. 35, Road No. 24
Gulshan-1, Dhaka
Bangladesh
Tel: 8850141
Fax 8850142
Email : iccdhaka@gmail.com;
culture@hcidhaka.org
Website : www.hcidhaka.org
