BCB oragnised the concert to create the hype of the 16-nation cricket extravaganza
- Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman of India performs with his team in the BCB Celebration Concert at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday
Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman of India, American R&B and hip hop singer Akon mesmerized the 30,000 plus audience including the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the in the BCB Celebration Concert to mark the opening of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) oragnised the concert to create the hype of the 16-nation cricket extravaganza scheduled to start from March 16.
The sensational AR Rahman delivered his popular songs one after one and created a magical atmosphere. From the hard number of Fanaa to the soft kawali of Kun Fayakun, it was the maestro’s magical crooning all over the big bowl. To add more flavour Udit Narayan, Neeti Muhan, Shewta Pundit and others were there and they enthralled the audience also.
R&B and hip hop singer Akon performed his popular tracks like Sorry Blame it on me, Right now, I wanna love and Bollywood track Chammak Challo etc at the later stage of the concert.
But at the same time, the event also left bitter memories most that went to witness the event.
The gate to the stadia opened at 3 o’clockin the afternoon but hardly a portion of the sitting area was filled when the show began with the performance of Arnob and Friends at 4.30pm. At this point of time, thousands were stuck on way to the venue in traffic.
Those who managed to reach the venue in time were found either cueing outside the stadium or rushing from one gate to another. This was mostly because the volunteers lacked proper information. The giant screen – another major element of the stadium – was out of order and was reinstated by two small white screens with projectors.
However things started settling down once the concert started gaining momentum. After Arnob, Bangladesh’s famous musical band Souls took the stage and performed a few of their classic numbers from the 80s. This was followed by some rock numbers by Bangladesh legend Ayub Bacchu, however with his comments back to the audience echoing negativity of having foreign musicians take all the attention of the show.
With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s arrival at the event, a group took the centre stage to perform the national anthem. The BCB president Nazmul Hasan delivered his welcome speech followed by the speeches from the minister of youth and sports Biren Sikder and finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit.
Eventually Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered her words.
The ICC (International Cricket Council) never demanded an opening ceremony. But masterminds from the BCB found a way to have an event somehow. While Bangladesh were celebrating hosting the ICC World event and be the focal point of the cricketing world for the next three weeks, thousands of the general public, who were not able be a part of the expensive BCB celebration, were found celebrating in their very own way outside the bowl. They had the Bangladesh flag, trumpets and festoons in their celebration and of course, good wishes for their beloved Tigers in the world event.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
