5th Anniversary of Surachakra Music Academy Celebrated at District Shilpakala Academy

The 5th anniversary of ‘Surachakra Music Academy,’ one of the leading cultural educational institutions in Chattogram, was celebrated through a colorful cultural evening, prize distribution and an honor-awarding ceremony for cultural icons. The festival was organized on Thursday (July 2) at the District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium, Chattogram, amidst a festive, spectacular and joyous atmosphere.

The entire auditorium turned into a vibrant gathering with the spontaneous presence of students, guardians, invited guests, renowned cultural personalities and well-wishers from the academy’s Uttar Kattali (Main Campus) and Chatteswari Road branches.

The colorful event was officially inaugurated with the lighting of candles by Masudur Rahman, Assistant Director (General Education) at the Asian University for Women, Chattogram. Md. Imam Hossain, General Manager of Bangladesh Television (BTV), Chattogram Station, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Abdul Mannan Rana, President of the Chattogram Betar and Television Artists’ Association, was present as the Special Guest.

The main attraction of this 5th-anniversary celebration was honoring three maestros of the music and percussion arena in Chattogram. The honored legends were— Tabla Guru Shibu Prasad Chowdhury (Founder & Principal of Loykari Music Academy), Music Guru Rishu Talukdar (Founder & Principal of Bagiswari Sangeetalaya) and Music Guru Faruk Ahmed (Founder & Principal of Ragini Music Academy). The guests handed over honorary mementos and traditional uttariyas (crests) to the maestros.

In the discussion session, seamlessly hosted by Akhi Drishti, an instructor of the academy’s recitation department, the guests and honored maestros highlighted the immense importance of spreading pure music practice among the new generation, nurturing cultural values and building a healthy society. Advocate Sabyasachi Acharya, Founder and Principal of Surachakra Music Academy, delivered the concluding and thanksgiving speech.

Following the discussion and honor-awarding ceremony, the main cultural program commenced with the rendition of Nazrul Sangeet ‘Trishito Akash Kape Re’. Group and solo performances by the students and instructors of Surachakra kept the audience spellbound. The event featured solo and group vocal music, solo, duet and group guitar recitals, captivating ukulele performances, rhythmic group tabla lahora, choral recitation, an art exhibition and spectacular duet and group dance recitals.

Melodious vocal performances were delivered by Avantika, Avanti, Aarohi, Nidhi, Korno, Tanushree, Arnab, Mrittika, Rudra, Suchona, Dipu, Moyna, Diba, Ayan, Prema, Dhrubo, Pritha, instructor Abhishekh Das and Principal Sabyasachi Acharya. Captivating guitar rhythms were created by Anis, Aurora, Arnab, Arghya, Aadra, Nandita, Tamal, Labib, Ismail, Soumik and instructor Tanushree Acharya. Blending western and folk melodies, the ukulele was played by Chandrika, Rudra, Bonna, Meghla and Suchona.

Pritha, Ayan, Apitya, Aritra, Meghna, Iti, Ankush, Ankit and Partha earned applause for their magical group tabla lahora. Chaiti, Diba and Adyatrayi showcased solemn expressions in the choral recitation. The stage came alive with the vibrant dance steps of Avanti, Tusu, Rikon, Adrija, Ankita Dutta, Priyanti, Megha, Ushnata, Anwesha, instructor Kakoli Lama, instructor Nabonita Kor Noba and co-director Kanshpi Acharya Purna.

The accompanying instrumentalists demonstrated exceptional professionalism, featuring instructor Judicious Chakma (Keyboards), instructor Joseph Dias (Guitar), instructor Arghya Das (Tabla), accompanying artists Rajan Bahadur Lama (Tabla), David Dutta (Cajon) and Titu Chowdhury (Octapad). To make the event a grand success, organizing committee members instructor Amit Chowdhury, instructor Poonam Chowdhury, instructor Parbon Ghorja and instructor Soumen Dutta played crucial roles behind the scenes.

Finally, the curtain fell on the 5th-anniversary festival with a soulful and breathtaking choral rendition of Rabindra Sangeet ‘Anandadhara Bahihe Bhubane’, creating a heavenly atmosphere.

Notably, established in 2020 during the pandemic, Surachakra Music Academy has been working tirelessly since its inception to promote pure music practice, facilitate the continuous development of art and culture and raise a humane generation enriched with cultural values. Currently, regular training programs are being conducted in eight different subjects across the general and children’s sections of the academy.