Chattogram-based Sanatani musical group Team Brishti is preparing to perform in India for the first time, marking a significant milestone in its musical journey. The seven-member Bangladeshi band has been invited to participate in Durga Puja celebrations in Assam, where it will present a series of performances combining devotional music, traditional Bengali melodies and contemporary folk fusion.
The group is scheduled to depart for India on 21 October at the invitation of the Madhabpur Nabodurga Puja Committee. Its first concert will take place in Madhabpur village in Hailakandi district, Assam. Following several stage performances, the musicians are expected to return to Bangladesh on 28 October.
Known for blending religious songs with indigenous musical influences and modern arrangements, Team Brishti has gradually developed its own musical identity. The group’s performances bring together traditional sounds and contemporary instruments, offering interpretations of familiar devotional and folk compositions.
During the Assam tour, the band plans to perform modern devotional songs alongside contemporary folk-fusion arrangements. Its members hope the combination will appeal to audiences attending the religious and cultural celebrations.
Team Brishti manager Amit Saha expressed his excitement about the group’s first opportunity to perform on an international stage.
“We are delighted and proud to have the opportunity to perform on an Indian stage for the first time. This is a special achievement for us,” he said.
“We want our music and culture to reach Bengali-speaking people across the world. We will take to the stage with the love and blessings of people from both Bengals.”
Saha said the musicians were also looking beyond their forthcoming performances in Assam, with ambitions to represent Bangladesh at larger musical events internationally.
“We dream of representing Bangladesh on bigger stages, both at home and abroad. We believe that with the love and support of audiences, we will be able to fulfil that dream,” he added.
The seven-member group features Brishti Dey as lead vocalist, Akash Dey on ukulele, Badsha on traditional Bengali drum, Amit Saha on octapad, Suman Das on keyboard, Chhoton Ghosh on flute and Tanmoy Dutta on bass guitar.
The varied instrumentation plays an important role in shaping the band’s sound. Traditional instruments such as the Bengali drum and flute provide a connection to regional musical traditions, while the ukulele, keyboard, octapad and bass guitar introduce contemporary elements.
This combination allows Team Brishti to explore different musical arrangements without losing the characteristics of the devotional and folk traditions that influence its repertoire.
The band’s origins can be traced to the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions on movement and public gatherings disrupted everyday life and cultural activities.
Lead vocalist Brishti Dey, who comes from Patiya in Chattogram, recalled how informal musical gatherings among friends eventually developed into an organised band.
“I am from Patiya in Chattogram. Our musical journey began during the coronavirus pandemic, when we were all confined to our homes,” she said.
“At that time, I started spending time with a group of young men of my age. Music was always the main subject of our gatherings. Those musical sessions eventually led us to perform at different events.”
What began as a shared interest gradually turned into regular musical performances. As the members started participating in local programmes, the band’s name became increasingly familiar to audiences in the surrounding areas.
“People gradually began recognising our band. Since then, we have continued moving forward without looking back,” Brishti recalled.
The musicians later decided to expand their activities beyond live performances by establishing an institution dedicated to musical learning.
“To spread musical knowledge and practice, we collectively established a music school called Team Brishti School of Music. Through this initiative, we have continued our musical journey,” she said.
The establishment of the school reflects the group’s interest in promoting music education alongside its performances. It also demonstrates how an informal musical initiative developed into a broader effort involving both artistic practice and teaching.
Team Brishti has continued to develop its presence through recorded music as well as stage appearances.
According to Brishti, several songs by the group have been released through the Urboshi Ganer Shiri and Team Brishti YouTube channels.
Among its notable releases are Mukhe Beshi Kotha Koiyo Na, Koto Apon, Nijere Bashio Bhalo and Megh Pahare.
These recordings have enabled the musicians to share their work beyond live events, complementing their ongoing efforts to develop a wider audience for their music.
The forthcoming Assam concerts represent another stage in the group’s development. Having begun with informal musical gatherings during the pandemic, Team Brishti has since expanded its activities to include local performances, recorded releases and music education.
The visit also reflects the cultural connections between Bangladesh and India’s Bengali-speaking communities. Devotional songs, folk traditions and regional musical styles have long formed part of the cultural heritage shared by people across the border.
Durga Puja celebrations frequently feature cultural programmes alongside religious observances, providing opportunities for musicians to present traditional and contemporary forms of music.
For Team Brishti, performing at the Madhabpur festivities will offer an opportunity to introduce its musical style to Indian audiences while participating in a celebration with familiar cultural and religious traditions.
The band members regard their first overseas performances as an important achievement and hope the experience will help them pursue further opportunities internationally.
With several concerts planned before their scheduled return on 28 October, Team Brishti is preparing to present its combination of devotional music, Bengali folk influences and contemporary arrangements to audiences in Assam.
The tour marks a new chapter for the Chattogram-based musicians, who hope to carry their music to wider Bengali-speaking communities and eventually represent Bangladesh on larger stages around the world.
