After BNP win, artists hope for Chhayanaut return, ready to give music another chance

KOLKATA: Indian musicians want to rebuild ties with Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman's leadership and are willing to return to perform there.

This comes after the Bangladesh PM recently said his govt believes that the State belongs to all citizens, irrespective of their political views, religion and ideologies, and asserted that his priority would be to restore peace and security.

Some Indian musicians, who were forced to leave Dhaka after the Chhayanaut vandalism, are ready to give peace and music another chance.

Sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan had a concert at Dhaka's Chhayanaut on Dec 19, just hours after the venue was vandalised. Khan fled to Kolkata and was so disturbed that he told TOI he "won't return" to "Bangladesh until artists, music, and cultural institutions are respected and protected".

Asked whether he would perform in Dhaka again, he told TOI on Monday, "Given my ancestral roots in Bangladesh and the fact that my family still lives there, this is deeply personal for me. I am genuinely looking forward to returning — not just as a performer, but as someone reconnecting with his own soil and people. Music has always been greater than politics. It carries memory, healing, and unity. If this new chapter brings even a small window for peace and cultural exchange, I believe musicians have a responsibility to step forward with open hearts."


Tabla player Mainak Biswas, who was supposed to accompany Khan for the Chhayanaut concert, is now open to visiting the country. "I carry the memories of the 48 hours of intense anxiety of being stranded in Dhaka after the vandalism. But I am not going to judge Bangladesh based on that one incident. I have performed at Chhayanaut before, as well as in other parts of Bangladesh. I am keen to perform there again if peace is restored under the new regime," Biswas said.

Pt Tanmoy Bose, who had condemned the Chhayanaut vandalism, said, "Bangladesh has a long history of valuing good music and art. Despite the upheavals of recent years, connoisseurs in Bangladesh have remained in the country. I strongly condemned the attack at Chhayanaut, a place where I have performed on several occasions. I believe the situation will improve and our cultural ties will grow stronger."

Some like musician Pulak Sarkar want to wait and watch. "Every year on Bangladesh's Poila Boishakh, 1,000 singers from various parts of Bangladesh perform in unison. I used to conduct this event and lead rehearsals. This tradition has been ongoing since 2011.

Last year was the only occasion when it didn't happen. The polls have just happened and it is quite early to expect things to change. Yet, I am hopeful. I feel that the situation will change and we will be able to visit Bangladesh again. I am also keen to collaborate with Bangladeshi musicians associated with Surer Dhara," Sarkar said.