Indian Acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawankumar Badhe has highlighted the role of music in strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
He said music transcends borders, brings people together and fosters mutual understanding between Bangladesh and India.
Badhe made the remarks at a cultural programme held on Thursday evening, organised by the Indian High Commission and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Titled “Musical Evening with the Legends”, the programme celebrated the enduring musical legacy of Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey.
Badhe underscored the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and India. He also highlighted the three singers’ lasting influence and popularity across generations.
Acclaimed Bangladeshi singers Samarjit Roy and Anupama Mukti performed popular songs associated with the legendary artists, delighting the audience with their renditions, including a special duet.
Roy, a vocalist, composer and music director trained in Indian classical music, performed songs originally sung by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey.
Mukti, a playback singer known for her contributions to Bangladeshi cinema and music, presented several popular songs originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
The singers were accompanied by a group of musicians, and their performances paid tribute to the three artists’ enduring influence on music lovers across generations.
The programme highlighted the shared cultural connections between Bangladesh and India and the role of music and artistic exchanges in strengthening people-to-people ties.
The event also reflected IGCC’s efforts to promote Indian culture and performing arts in Bangladesh while celebrating the countries’ shared cultural heritage.
Senior artists, cultural figures representing various organisations and music enthusiasts attended the programme.