Artistes entertained the audience rendering popular playback songs, along with folk and modern songs, at a virtual show organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Thursday.

The programme was organised by the academy as part of its ‘Art Against Corona’ initiative.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general Liaquat Ali Lucky presided over the event, anchored by Sharmin Mishu.

Popular singers Mina Barua, Kajol Dewan, Belly Afroz, Indian musician Rocket Mandal, renowned recitation artiste Mahidul Islam, aspiring singer Ibne Razon and others participated in the event.

‘I am performing at a programme after a long time today. I thank Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for organising the event. It is like a breath of fresh air,’ said Mina Barua.

Rocket Mandal said, ‘I have visited Bangladesh on several occasions in the past to perform in programmes. I thank Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for inviting me to this programme today. I would like to take this opportunity to recall late legendary playback singer Andrew Kishore. I have worked with him for the last 25 years and composed many of his songs.’

Mina Barua rendered playback song Dhakay jara chakri kore, which was recorded by Sabina Yasmin for ‘Ujan Bhati’ film. She also rendered Abdul Latif’s song Jare ja chithi likhe dilam and Momtaj Ali Khan’s Ashar maser bristi re jham-jhamaiya pare.

Rocket Mandal paid tribute to Andrew Kishore rendering the popular playback song Tumi amar emon-e ekjan, which Kishore recorded for the film ‘Nayaner Alo’. The song had been written and composed by late Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul.

Belly Afroz rendered Andrew Kishore’s Tumi mor jibaner bhabona, which Kishore recorded for the film ‘Ananda Ashru’.

Kajol Dewan sang folk songs Amar mon saodagar and Tumi achho bole ami daki doyal.

Ibne Razon sang Subir Nandi’s song Ke jeno aj amar chokhe and child artiste Srabonti Shreya sang Tagore song Aji jharo jharo mukharo badal-o dine.