Biswabrata Goswami
Midnapore, 19 March: Vidyasagar University organised a vibrant cultural programme to commemorate the birth centenary of legendary composer and lyricist Salil Chowdhury, bringing together students, faculty members and cultural enthusiasts in a celebration that blended music, remembrance and academic engagement.
The event, organised by the Vidyasagar Music Club under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deepak Kumar Kar, was held at the Vivekananda Sabhagriha and witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the university community. Senior faculty members, researchers, officials and students attended the programme, turning the occasion into a collective cultural gathering.
The programme began with a welcome address by Music Club Convener Prof. Soumen Mallick, while Coordinator Prof. Amal Kumar Mondal delivered the vote of thanks. The event was jointly compered by Dr. Sagarika Ghosh, Dr. Dipanwita Dutta, Dr. Priyanka Haldar Mallick and Prof. Joyjit Ghosh.
The musical segment formed the central attraction of the evening. The overall arrangement was led by Kolkata-based synthesizer artist Bappa Mukherjee, who had earlier accompanied Salil Chowdhury and is presently associated with noted musician Kalyan Sen Barat. Tabla accompaniment by Kaushik and other artists added depth to the performances.
Participants presented several iconic compositions of Chowdhury, including “Pagol Hawa,” “Kahin Door Jab,” “Amay Proshno Kore,” and “Runner,” through solo and duet renditions that received warm appreciation from the audience. Dance performances by students, particularly those of the Uday Shankar Dance Club, added colour and dynamism to the programme.
In his inaugural address, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the role of cultural initiatives in holistic education and paid tribute to social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Salil Chowdhury.
The programme concluded with the National Anthem, marking a dignified end to the commemorative celebration. University authorities expressed hope that such initiatives would further strengthen the institution’s cultural environment in the future.
