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Kumar Bishwajit is a name synonymous to the world of Bengali pop and it would be hard to find someone who has not heard his name or his songs. He commenced his career as a singer in 1982 with his debut album which gained massive audience appraisals.
   In 2004, he completed twenty-five years of music and is still energetic in the music arena. This year, Bishwajit opened ‘Gaanchil’, a music recording house. The company is comprised of four individuals who are all well known for their work in media.
   In a recent interview, Bishwajit told Newage his dreams about this country and of his passionate craze about Bangladeshi culture.
   ‘The younger generation today is attracted by the glitter and glamour of the west though our country is rich in its own way.
   Instead of being inspired by folk songs, younger people choose western rock and pop,’ he comments. For Bishwajit, singing is not just a career, it’s his life. Another aspect which is respected by his peers is his love for this country.
   His dreams about Bangladeshi music are endless and he wants to see Bengali songs making a mark in the international level.
   Bishwajit‘s company ‘Gaanchil’ was opened with strict objectives and one of them is the recognition of young talented singers.
   Like all music production houses, Bishwajit is less interested in business and more concerned about seeking the hidden talents of this country. In a press conference which took place in April of this year, he vehemently stated, ‘Gaanchil is open to all who love music and wants to preserve the culture of this country.’
   The first two audio productions of Gaanchill are sung by the stars of Close-up 1; the first being Beauty’s solo album ‘Charandashi’ and the second is Rumi and Mehrab’s duet album ‘Adda’.
   When he was asked about his future plans about ‘Gaanchil’, his answer was plain and simple, ‘strive forward to the top.’ During end June, two more albums will be released and for Eid, there will be a total of 5 albums to hit the market. He also plans to go for music video production this year. The wait is on and the stakes are high.

Nandan, a cultural organisation, held a musical evening titled Megher Pare Megh Jamechhe at Bangladesh YWCA Bhaban on Friday.
   Mita Pal, Rita Majumder, Saiful Islam Khan, Anjuman Ferdousi Kakali, Nasima Khan Dolly, Fihima Samad Sumi and Nilotpal Sadhha performed Tagore songs with Mrityunjoy Majumder on Tabla, Nazmul Alam on Mandira, Almas Dwan on Violin and Sunil Kumar Sarkar on the Key board.
   The organisation launched its activities in January 2003.
   With a view to practising songs of five poets including Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, D L Roy, Atul Prasad and Rajanikantha, the organisation has been arranging musical programmes every three months.
   Mahmudur Rahman, an activist of the organisation said, ‘we are organising such programmes to encourage singers to perform songs of five poets more often.’
   If we develop this habit, listeners will hear their songs on a regular basis, he added.

A colourful cultural evening was arranged by the former students of Rabindra Bharati University at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segun Bagicha on Friday.
   The organiser, Rabindra Bharati Praktani, arranged the function presenting music, dance and recitation to mark the 145th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
   The programme titled ‘Pathchala’, focused on Tagore’s poetry related to aimless wandering with a Bohemian twist. The singers sang, ‘Pathik paran chal se path etui’, ‘Amar bhanga pather ranga dhulay’, Pantha tumi panthajaner sakha he, ‘Pathe chale jete jete, ‘Gram chhara oi ranga matir path’ and others.
   Promising Manipuri dancer Tamanna Rahman, danced with the song ‘Amar ei path chalate ananda’. Dancers, under the direction of Dr Soma Momtaj of Jahangirnagar University, danced with the song of ‘Amar pathe pathe pathar chharano’.
   Among the singers ATM Jahangir, Kanchan Mustafa, Shahadat Hossain Nipu, Chhaya Roy, Uttam Saha Baby Rosario sang at the function.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s innovative formula to kick start the promotion of his forthcoming Don, starring Shah Rukh Khan in the main lead, seems to be working wonders.
   Just testing the waters, Sidhwani sent sleek cardboard popcorn covers sporting Shah Rukh's silhouette against the backdrop of Malaysian skyscrapers to a couple of cinema houses in Mumbai.
   The gimmick paid off so well that the producer’s office is now taking requests from other theatre chains for providing more of the same popcorn packets.
   Now it has to be seen whether the action drama, a remake of the Amitabh Bachchan–Zeenat Aman starrer Don, gets an overwhelming response at the box office.
   The film, being directed by Farhan Akhtar, is scheduled for a Diwali release. — Internet