Cox’s Bazar-based music group Penoa has launched their new album, E Ruher Tole (Beneath This Soul), featuring 13 tracks now available on YouTube and Spotify. To celebrate the release, the band is organising a series of concerts across Bangladesh that will combine live music with theatrical performances. The concerts will not only feature the songs but will also provide insights into the personal and artistic journeys behind the album.
The first concert, titled “Album Completion Concert,” will take place on November 20 at the Theatre Institute in Chattogram. This will be followed by a performance in Cox’s Bazar on December 25, and the final concert in Dhaka will occur in mid-January. During each event, the band will share the stories behind the creation of E Ruher Tole, offering audiences a unique, immersive experience.
Yasir Arafat, the band’s lyricist and lead vocalist, explained the concept, saying, “Internationally, it’s common to host such events after releasing an album. It’s a practice not often seen here. Every album has a story, and we want to share that with our audience. E Ruher Tole has a year-and-a-half-long history, filled with challenges and experiences. We hope the theatrical elements will bring these stories to life.”
Several tracks from the album, including “E Ruher Tole,” “Rater Santar,” “Rikto Golap,” “Kuhu Daker Hon,” and “Shunte Ja Chao,” have already garnered significant attention. Additionally, a film adaptation of E Ruher Tole is currently in production. British-Bangladeshi filmmaker Aktanin Khair is producing the film, which is in its editing stages. The film aims to offer solace to those struggling with depression, with Khair describing E Ruher Tole as a form of “music therapy” for those affected by mental health challenges.