Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Oct 8, 2025 (BSS)-  The 163rd birth anniversary of world famous legendary Bengali musician and multi-instrumentalist Ustad Alauddin Khan was celebrated in a befitting manner and great enthusiasm. 

Ministry of Cultural Affairs organized the celebration event titled 'Celebrating Bangladeshi Legends' with the collaboration of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy of at the Historical Lalbagh Fort here in the capital this evening.

The event was inaugurated with a video message from the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The Chief Adviser, in his message, said, The celebration of the birth anniversary of the maestro of classical music, Ustad Alauddin Khan, marks a new milestone in the nation’s cultural pursuit.  

 "This distinguished son of Brahmanbaria enriched the Rag-based classical music of the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, and introduced it among immense music connoisseurs and audiences, making it enormously popular."

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan and adviser to Housing and Public Works ministry Adilur Rahman Khan delivered welcome speeches. 

After the inauguration, a documentary on the legendary Bengali musician and multi-instrumentalist Ustad Allauddin Khan was presented before the audiences.

Adviser Farooki said, "The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is working on preparing a calendar to commemorate the lives and creative works of all the important cultural personalities of our country. As part of various cultural initiatives, historic and archaeological sites are being chosen as venues for these events. And today's program is a continuation of the initiative."

Adviser Adilur Rahman noted the struggle of Palestinian people at the event and demanded release of detained Gaza people and Human rights activists including Bangladeshi origin human rights activists Shahidul Alam and Ruhi Akter.

Adviser Rejwana echoed the same voice   for a free Palestine and environment activists like Greata Thunburg who are struggling for establishing the human rights.

Adviser Rizwana said that the spirit of the Palestinian people is indomitable and despite facing injustice and falsehood, they continue to struggle on the path of truth and justice. 

Expressing optimism, she said, "We hope that in the near future we will see a Palestine where people will no longer be imprisoned."

At the event, Pandit Asit Dey performed Kheyal (lyrical composition), teachers and students of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalaya performed musical concert with different Bengali musical instruments like Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Esraj and Sarod.

The musicians of the event include Abhijit Kundu (Vocal-Dhrupad, a devotional composition), Prashanta Bhowmik (Tabla) Fahmida Naznin (Tabla), Shukla Halder (Esraj), Niloy Halder (Sarangi), Isra Fuljhuri Khan (Sarod), Ilham Fuljhuri Khan (Sarode), Sohini Majumdar (Sitar), Mohammad Kawchar (Sitar), 

Descendents of the legend Allauddin khan, Afsana Khan (Sitar) and Rukhsana Khan (Sarod) also performed at the event.

Ustaad Alauddin Khan's great grandson Siraz Ali Khan accompanied by Archik Banerjee performed at the event at the concluding part.