Entertainment Report :
The organisers ‘Sobar Agey Bangladesh Foundation’ have postponed the previously scheduled Independence concerts in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Bogura in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people.
The foundation’s president, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, announced the decision to postpone the concert in another statement.
This year, in the holy month of Ramadan, following Independence Day, the organisation announced that it would hold independence concerts in Chattogram, Khulna, and Bogura on April 11, as well as on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital to celebrate the day.
However, later the organisers announced that they would postpone the event by one day to April 12, expressing solidarity with Friday’s programme in protest of Israeli attacks on Palestine.
Finally, the concert is not taking place on that date either.
Popular singer Asif Akbar has announced that he will withdraw from the concert after hearing the organisers’ announcement.
He announced this decision in a Facebook post yesterday evening.
Asif’s comment on this matter, “Not this country, not that country; but ‘Sobar Agey Bangladesh’ concert with only Made in Bangladesh artistes. Palestine is a country where people are suffering and the concert is scheduled for April 11, but it is not yet April 12.
The concert will be held on April 12. One thing I have noticed in my long career is that whenever anything happens in the world, Bangladeshi artistes are the first to be affected. It is not possible to forget the harsh reality of the lockdown. I have not forgotten the cries of artistes and musicians changing careers and leaving Dhaka.
‘Sobar Agey Bangladesh’ concert became a platform that inspired hope for our artistes. Due to the postponement, artistes, musicians, sound, light, and everyone involved in stage management witnessed yet another example of insecurity. The concert that millions of people were waiting for was also missed.”
Announcing his decision not to participate in the concert, Asif wrote, “I’m personally disappointed. I have told my team that the concert inside Bangladesh is really out of the question for us. The whole world will continue, only Bangladeshi artistes will live in hope, that will not happen. There will be a date for the ‘Sobar Agey Bangladesh’ concert, and the concert will take place.
But I don’t want to stay anymore. I’m an artiste – this is my place to earn an income. Let’s not be uncertain about this place again, as it is the sword of decision! Enough is enough. Let’s move forward with ‘Sobar Agey Bangladesh’ concert. Best wishes. I stay in the same place as the blind prince in the fairy tale.”
