About
The practice of music in the ancient Indian subcontinent originated from a diverse lineage deeply rooted in spiritual and ethnic traditions. The ancient forms of music were passed down from one generation to the next and have been upheld by scores of important musicians throughout history – musicians who were patronised by kings, feudal lords, and spiritual leaders; forming the backbone of classical music in the region. Contemporary practices of classical music, however, were established in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India; and well-ordained traditions formed the basis for the evolution of modern classical forms in the region. Music from the region remained free-flowing, and improvised rather than becoming scripted, similar to its western counterpart. The music has stood the test of time and remnants of its strong legacy are still traceable in today’s guru–shishya parampara practices.
The legendary maestros Ustad Alauddin Khan, Sangeetacharya Tarapada Chakrabarty, Pandit Uday Shankar, Ustad Ayat Ali Khan, Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra, Ustad Vilayet Khan and many others had roots in East Bengal (presently Bangladesh); and later, they and their disciples, especially Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar, upheld the practice in the sub-continent, and introduced it to western audiences.
Ours is an ongoing effort to reclaim and celebrate the roots of classical music in Bangladesh, while also opening the doors to a global appreciation of regional music traditions. In an era of rapid cultural globalization, it is increasingly important to connect the younger generation with this rich heritage. Initiated in 2012, by the Bengal Foundation, with this end in view, Bengal Classical Music Festival is one of the world’s largest classical music festivals in terms of the number of performers on a single stage, audience capacity and duration.
It all began with an idea.
Abul Khair, the Chair of Bengal Foundation, wondered whether something as complex as classical music could reach the hearts of the average audience through the right presentation. He envisioned an event where classical music would be presented in a large-scale festive ambience open for all, dispelling its elitist image.The festival was launched with the conviction that an annual classical music event would revive the Bengali heritage in regards to classical music and enrich popular taste in music. Exposure to the unfathomable depths of classical music is a humbling, yet an enriching experience. Immersion in its nuances awakens our spirit, fostering humane values and compassion. The Foundation’s experience from the last six editions has led us to believe that popular taste in classical music has been on the rise; the audience has not only stood out in numbers, but their capacity to appreciate and concentrate on the subtleties of the music has also broadened.
The festival, over the years, has featured a number of iconic musicians including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Rais Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan; the Late Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Vidushi Girija Devi, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, and Ustad Rashid Khan. The festival also hosted western orchestra and international collaborations. This synthesis of local and regional heritage with global influences reflects the festival’s broader mission: to celebrate Bangladesh’s deep musical roots, while also opening new doors for cultural exchange through the universal language of music.