Thousands gather at Suhrawardy Udyan for Concert for Democracy marking July uprising anniversary
Photo Collected
Thousands of attendees gathered at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday, braving inclement weather to mark the second anniversary of the July mass uprising with a vibrant “Concert for Democracy.” Despite persistent rain, the atmosphere remained festive as the crowd joined in unison to celebrate the spirit of the movement, which organizers framed under the theme of building a Bangladesh grounded in equality, harmony, and culture.
The event, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA), officially commenced an hour behind schedule due to the downpour. Once underway, the venue transformed into a space of collective remembrance, with spectators of all ages standing for hours to honor the sacrifices and aspirations associated with the July revolution.
Musical performances anchored the commemoration, beginning with S.M. Abdullah Farabi’s rendition of “Bangladesh-er Buke July Thakbe Jege” and Khaled Munna’s “Agun Ronger July Periye.” The stage featured a diverse array of artists, including the band Rebel’s, who performed in indigenous languages, and Lalon, who entertained the audience with traditional folk songs. Other notable performances came from ASEIS, which presented a reimagined version of Nazrul Sangeet, followed by popular bands including Highway, Miles, Warfaze, and Different Touch.
Government officials were in attendance to commemorate the occasion, with Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury serving as the chief guest. In his address, he emphasized that culture serves as the most potent medium for transmitting the ideals of the July uprising to the new generation, highlighting the critical role of the arts in shaping a democratic and harmonious nation.
In addition to the concert, the event featured an award ceremony for “Tomar Gane Jagbe July,” a song competition organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to immortalize the memories and dreams of the uprising. Abdullah Al Farabi claimed the top prize of 100,000 BDT, while Mohsin Ahmed and Md. Hafizur Rahman received the second and third place awards, respectively. Seventeen additional participants were honored in a special category, receiving certificates and cash prizes for their contributions to the event’s thematic focus.
0%
0%
0%
0%
