Protection of musicians, instruments demanded

Desk Report: Musicians demanded government and corporate houses to support the local music industry by creating employment opportunities for musicians and protecting musical instruments that are on the verge extinction., reports New Age.
Unless there are guarantees of employment and decent income, the young generation would not be interested to pursue music as profession, said participating musicians at the fourth national conference of Bangladesh Musicians’ Foundation held at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum.
‘The music industry is heading towards an abysmal condition. The youths of today show little interest to pursue a career in music as they consider it a bad career choice.
We are very worried about the future of the music industry’, said Bangladesh Musicians Federation president Gazi Abdul Hakim.
Government and corporate houses should come forward and establish quality music schools to train young musicians and support these musicians by providing employment opportunities. Besides, initiatives should be taken to prevent musical instruments from disappearing, added Hakim, who also demanded regularisation of jobs of musicians at Bangladesh Betar.
‘We cannot expect the young generation to pursue careers in music unless they become convinced that they will be able to have a bright future ahead. The government should come forward to create jobs for musicians,’ said Debu Chowdhury, general secretary of BMF.
Responding to musicians’ demands, cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor, who inaugurated the conference, said, ‘The government is well-informed about the worries and woes of musicians. We hope to address all their demands and help to create more jobs for musicians.’
HT Imam, political advisor to the prime minister, was present as the chief guest at the conference. He assured that musicians’ demands will be addressed.
The fourth national conference of BMF began in the morning with a rally. The conference also featured discussion, handover of honourary awards and a cultural show.
Three musicians- Ustad Phuljhari Khan (posthumous), Subal Dutt (posthumous) and Imtiaz Ahmed- were honoured with Bangladesh Musicians Foundation honourary award.
Following was a cultural show featuring performances by eminent instrumentalists and singers. Flautist Gazi Abdul Hakim, accompanied by Bishwajit Sarkar, began the show with a recital of raga desh.
Anupam Biswas and his troupe next captivated the audience presenting the same raga on dotara.
Renowned singers Ferdaus Ara, Farida Parvin, Abida Sultana, Rafiqul Alam and others then entertained the audience singing songs of diverse genres.
Ferdaus Ara presented popular Nazrul song Amay nohe go bhalobaso mor gaan, while Farida Parvin presented Lalon song Jekhane sain-er baramkhana to the delight of audience. Abida Sultana and Rafiqul Alam respectively rendered folk song Thakur jamai elo ghorete and Baishakhi megh-er kache.