A cultural evening marking the Bengali New Year was organised in Dhaka under the title “Badhon Achhe Prane Prane”, bringing together artists and audiences from both sides of Bengal. The programme was jointly arranged by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and HSBC Bangladesh. The event was held at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and featured performances by Aditi Mohsin and Shrikanto Acharya.
The cultural venue in Gulshan was arranged in a simple and orderly manner, with an open-air seating arrangement under a canopy set on a green lawn. The audience reflected the spirit of Pohela Boishakh through traditional attire, contributing to a shared cultural atmosphere that aligned with the occasion’s observance.
The evening commenced with brief speeches by Pranay Verma and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh. Both speakers underlined the cultural importance of Bengali New Year celebrations and highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between Bangladesh and India. Pranay Verma conveyed New Year greetings and noted that such cultural initiatives help reinforce shared heritage and promote mutual understanding. Md Mahbub ur Rahman reaffirmed HSBC’s commitment to supporting cultural diversity and the preservation of Bengali artistic traditions.
Programme Structure
| Segment | Performer(s) | Content Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Opening solo | Aditi Mohsin | Tagore songs, devotional and seasonal compositions |
| Individual set | Aditi Mohsin | Patriotic and classical Bengali repertoire |
| Duet performance | Aditi Mohsin & Shrikanto Acharya | New Year themed collaborative songs |
| Solo performance | Shrikanto Acharya | Modern Bengali songs, Tagore songs, and film music |
| Final duet | Both artists | “Eso He Boishakh” and concluding ensemble |
Aditi Mohsin opened the musical programme with a selection of songs rooted in spiritual reflection and seasonal expression. Her performance included compositions by Rajanikanta Sen and Rabindranath Tagore, establishing a contemplative tone. She continued with additional Tagore songs and concluded her solo segment with a patriotic composition linked to historical context and national identity.
Following her performance, Shrikanto Acharya took the stage. Widely recognised in Bengali modern music, he presented a diverse repertoire that included modern Bengali songs, film music, and Tagore compositions. His performance also included tributes and reflections on musical experiences, alongside multilingual interpretations that demonstrated stylistic versatility. He acknowledged his longstanding connection with audiences in Bangladesh.
The concert reached its collective peak when both artists performed “Eso He Boishakh” together, symbolising the thematic essence of the Bengali New Year celebration. Their joint performance marked the transition from individual sets to a shared musical expression, reinforcing the cultural unity represented by the programme.
On the following evening, a second edition of the programme was held under the same thematic title. This session included additional musical arrangements and further performances by the participating artists. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam, along with other guests.
At the conclusion of both events, organisers formally acknowledged the participating artists with ceremonial appreciation, recognising their contribution to the cultural initiative and the successful presentation of Bengali New Year-themed musical collaboration.