Salma and Sajed Akbar perform at BNM

Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) organised an evening of Rabindra Sangeet by singer couple Salma Akbar and Sajed Akbar at Sufia Kamal Auditorium, Bangladesh National Museum (BNM), Dhaka on November 5.

The singers started off the programme with a duet song “Joy Tobo Ananda Bichitra”. They performed 24 solo songs at the event. Salma Akbar's repertoire included “Kar Milon Chao Birohi”, “Jogotey Anandajoggey”, “Adhek Ghum-e Nayon Chum-e”, “Anandadhara Bohichhey Bhuboney” and “Ogo Nodi Apon Begey”. Sajed Akbar rendered 12 songs, including “Amar Shokol Rosh-er Dhara”, “Amar Molin Lagi Tumi”, “Oli Barbar Phirey Jaye”, “Tomar Gopon Kothati” and “Apni Obosh Holi”. 

Salma Akbar studied at Chayyanaut and received her initial training in classical music from Ustad Narayan Chandra Basak and Ustad Azad Rahman. She trained in Rabindra Sangeet under legends such as late Karim Sharafi, Sanjida Khatun, Sadi Mohammad, Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya in Bangladesh and under Late Konika Bandopadyay, Nilima Sen, Sanghamitra Gupta in India.

Encouraged by his Freedom Fighter parents -- Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Gholam Akbar Chowdhury, Sajed received initial training in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music from Ustad Fazlul Hoque in 1969. Subsequently, he trained in Rabindra Sangeet under late Atikul Islam at the Bulbul Lalitkala Academy, Abdul Ahaad, Kalim Sharafi, Ajit Roy and Sadi Mohammad. 

Salma Akbar and Sajed Akbar visited Kolkata, Shanti Niketan and Guwahati in 2013 for musical concerts under ICCR sponsorship. Their musical concerts were appreciated by music lovers of these three Indian cities.