Singer Shuvo Das and contemporary vocalist Aishi Rakshit have unveiled a new Puja song, Agomoni’r Alpana, at a cultural event in Chattogram, celebrating original Bangla music and the enduring connection between music and Bengali cultural traditions.
The song was launched at 6pm on Wednesday, 14 October, at the Theatre Institute Chattogram. Organised by Someswar Nrityaloy, the programme brought together musicians, cultural figures, writers, journalists and other guests to mark the release and discuss the importance of creating and promoting original Bengali compositions.
Das, who is known for his appearance on Zee Bangla’s singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, composed the music for the new song. The lyrics were written by Dr Ambarish Mitra, while Malay Kumar Indu Mukesh and Anujit Barua Limon handled the musical arrangement. The collaboration brings together songwriting, composition and arrangement in a new work intended for the Puja season.
Both Das and Rakshit performed at the launch, adding a live musical dimension to the occasion. Artistes from Someswar Nrityaloy also presented dance performances, combining music and movement in a programme that celebrated Bengali artistic expression.
The event extended beyond the song’s release, with discussions focusing on music’s influence on society and its capacity to shape public attitudes. Speakers observed that songs can introduce listeners to new perspectives and encourage positive changes when their messages resonate with audiences. Music, they suggested, can also provide a creative way to address social inconsistencies and promote greater awareness.
The discussion also highlighted the lasting appeal of traditional music. Although listening habits and the ways people access music have changed considerably over time, compositions created generations ago continue to find audiences. Speakers called for sustained efforts to produce original Bangla songs and make the language’s rich musical heritage accessible to a wider public.
The programme was presented by Shrutishikha. MA Malek, editor of Dainik Azadi, attended as the chief guest, while writer and journalist Biswajit Chowdhury and Anup Baran Das, director of Azim Group, were present as special guests.
Musician Riaz Waez, chairman of Bakar Sons Group, presided over the event. Das also shared his thoughts with the audience. Recitation artiste Konkon Das hosted the programme, while Sukanta Chowdhury, director of Someswar Nrityaloy, delivered the welcome address. The invited guests were felicitated with flowers.
Puja songs occupy a distinctive place in Bengali cultural life, particularly during Durga Puja, when music helps express the anticipation, devotion and festive spirit associated with the arrival of the goddess. Agomoni compositions traditionally evoke this arrival and the emotions surrounding it, drawing on imagery and themes deeply rooted in Bengali cultural memory.
While the tradition has longstanding religious and cultural associations, contemporary artists continue to explore new compositions and musical arrangements to connect with changing audiences. Original releases can help sustain the tradition while creating opportunities for singers, lyricists, composers and instrumentalists to contribute fresh work.
The launch of Agomoni’r Alpana reflects this continuing effort to bring new Bengali music to the public through cultural events and live performances. By combining a song launch with dance, recitation and discussion, the organisers also underscored the role of cultural institutions in supporting creative work and keeping artistic traditions alive.
The Chattogram programme provided a platform for established cultural figures and contemporary performers to come together around a shared interest in Bengali music. Its emphasis on original compositions and cultural preservation offered a broader context for the release, placing the new song within the continuing evolution of Bengali musical expression.
