The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC) celebrated the last 100 years of Bangla music through a gala event at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center yesterday. This was the second year that HSBC hosted such an event.
Although Bangla music embarked on its journey centuries ago, the last 100 years has been particularly important for the genre. During this time, Bangla music saw the emergence of titanic talents such as Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, DL Roy, Atul Prasad, Rajnikant, Hason Raja and many more.
HSBC celebrated the past century of Bengali music for the second consecutive year. HSBC's programme featured 42 songs which were performed by over 20 of the most well known and respected Bengali singers including Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Mitali Mukhergee, Sabina Yasmeen, Rezwana Choudhury Bonna, Mita Haque, Abdul Hadi and many others.
Opening the event, HSBC Bangladesh Corporate Banking Head, Mahbub-ur-Rahman said, "This programme is a reflection of HSBC's intention to promote local culture and heritage as well as to show people the diversity of our musical heritage." HSBC Bangladesh CEO Steve Banner told guests that the "world's local bank" is proud to support Bengali arts and culture and thanked all those involved in organizing the event including HSBC colleagues, the academic researchers who selected the songs and the many performers of the evening.
Over 1,000 guests attended the performance including senior government officials, senior regulators, diplomats and prominent business personalities.
HSBC is proud to have once again organized such a momentous evening celebrating the rich musical heritage of Bangladesh.
A limited edition CD of the evening will be produced in due course.
