Indian High Commission hosts musical tribute to three legendary voices

The timeless melodies of Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey resonated at the High Commission of India in Dhaka on Thursday as music lovers gathered for a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of the three legendary Indian singers.

The High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), organised A Musical Evening with Legends at the High Commission premises, paying tribute to the iconic voices whose songs have transcended generations and continued to captivate audiences in both India and Bangladesh.

Addressing the gathering, Acting High Commissioner of India Pawankumar Badhe highlighted the extraordinary musical contributions of the three legends and their enduring popularity across generations. He also underscored the deep-rooted cultural connections between India and Bangladesh, emphasising the role of music and artistic exchanges in strengthening people-to-people ties between the neighbouring countries.

The evening featured captivating performances by Bangladeshi singers Samarjit Roy and Anupama Mukti, who brought some of the most cherished songs of the legendary vocalists to life.

Roy, a Bangladeshi vocalist trained in Indian classical music, performed a selection of popular songs originally sung by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey, revisiting the rich musical traditions associated with the two celebrated artists.

Anupama Mukti, a playback singer known for her contributions to Bangladeshi cinema and music, paid homage to Lata Mangeshkar with performances of several of the legendary singer’s popular songs.

A duet performance by Roy and Mukti added another dimension to the musical programme, with a group of talented musicians accompanying the singers throughout the evening.

The event brought together senior artists, cultural personalities representing various cultural organisations in Bangladesh, and music enthusiasts from across the country. It provided a platform to celebrate a shared musical heritage that continues to connect audiences across borders.

The event concluded with the felicitation of the participating artists, recognising their contributions to the evening’s celebration of the enduring power of music.

By bringing the songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey to a Bangladeshi audience, the musical evening highlighted how art and music can transcend national boundaries, preserve cultural memories and deepen the longstanding friendship between India and Bangladesh.