Shobar Agey Bangladesh concert: Huge crowd at Manik Mia Ave

A singer performing at the Sabar Age Bangladesh Concert on Monday night at Manik Mia Avenue. UNB

Dhaka, Dec 17 -The largest outdoor concert of the year, titled ‘Shobar Agey Bangladesh’ (Bangladesh First), took place on Victory Day on Monday under the sponsorship and initiative of the BNP at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue.

Several of the country’s popular artists and bands performed in the mega concert, sharing the joy of Victory Day in the grandest musical rendezvous of the year.

The concert began with eminent playback singer Khurshid Alam’s solo performance. After a group song by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Nasir, a well-known performer from the 1990s, took the stage.

The main concert started at 2:15 pm with popular music artist Pritom Hasan's performance of his fan-favourite songs 'Khoka', 'Deora', and 'Laage Uradhura'. Then music director Ethun Babu and singer Moushumi Chowdhury performed protest songs written about the dictatorial activities of the former Awami League government.

After that, popular playback artist Alam Ara Minu took the stage and performed 'Je Matir Buke', and 'Sona Dana’, two of her most popular tracks. Then popular singer Monir Khan, who suffered in the previous regime due to his political stance, greeted the crowd and performed 'Chithi Likheche Bou Amar' and 'Premer Tajmahal'.

Kanak Chanpa, one of the country’s most popular playback singers known for her songs for many commercially successful Dhallywood films, came on stage and performed two of her popular songs - 'Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy' and 'Sagorika'.

After the performance of these popular artists, Baul music took over the concert as singers Putul and Golapi performed 'Milon Hobe Koto Diney'. Renowned Baul artists Aleya Begum and her son Shovon performed the Coke Studio Bangla-famed fan-favourite track 'Kotha Koiyo Na', and eminent Baul singer Chishti Baul performed his popular songs 'Behaya Monta Loiya' and 'Jodi Thake Nosibe'.

Imran Mahmudul and Dilshad Nahar Kona took the stage at around 4:30 pm. Imran performed 'Bolte Cheye' and 'Dil Dil', while Kona performed 'Ohey Shyam' and her 2024 chartbuster track 'Dushtu Kokil'.

By 5:30 pm, the entire Manik Mia Avenue was packed and the crowd went crazy when renowned singer Asif Akbar came on stage. He started with ‘Shobujer Buke Laal' and went on performing his famous songs 'O Priya', and 'Shabash Bangladesh'.

One of the major attractions of the day was the National Award-winning artiste Baby Naznin, who had not performed in the country for a long time due to her affiliation with BNP. She took the stage and performed a new song titled 'Our Bangladesh', followed by 'Surjodoye Tumi, Surjaasteo Tumi' and 'O Bondhu Tui Koi'.

The band performance part of the concert started later in the evening with the famous 90s’ band Different Touch, which performed several songs, including its tantalisingly popular track, ‘Sraboner Meghgulo’. Rock artist Xefer then took the stage and performed some of her popular songs including ‘Jhumka’.

The band performances then continued as Sonar Bangla Circus came out next, followed by the mesmerising performances of the bands - Shironamhin, Ark, Souls, and AvoidRafa. Unfortunately, one of the bands scheduled to perform, the crowd favourite Artcell, could not perform due to security measures, which the band addressed in a social media post following the event while lauding the fans and organizers.

The final act of the concert, Nagar Baul with its frontman James took to the stage around 10 pm and performed his popular songs including 'Bangladesh', sending the crowd home happy. After running for about eight hours, this unique concert concluded at around 11 pm.

Regarding the concert, BNP Joint Secretary General and former lawmaker Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, also the convener of the platform ‘Shobar Agey Bangladesh’ which was recently launched as a new social and cultural organization of BNP, said that Tarique Rahman, the acting Chairman of the party. initiated the idea of Sobar Agey Bangladesh to unite the whole nation with the spirit of victory.

“We could not observe and celebrate Victory Day in our way during the fascist regime in the last 16-17 years, and this year we finally became able to celebrate. To promote and flourish the country's own culture and tradition, 'Sobar Agey Bangladesh' organised this mega concert in the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue including many of the popular and talented artists who were barred from performing in such events in the previous regime; and we will organize an even bigger and grand event celebrating the next Independence Day on March 26,” he said at the event. - UNB