In a landmark moment for Bangladeshi rock music, the celebrated line-up behind Aurthohin’s classic 2008 album Oshamapto 1 reunited on stage on Friday night, ending an waiting period of over fifteen years for their long-time admirers.
The historic performance unfolded at the InterContinental Dhaka during a special event organised by Dhaka Broadcast. The evening served as both the official album launch and concert for Etotoboka Keno Tumi, the latest project by prominent musician Raef al Hasan Rafa under his band Avoid Rafa. However, the undisputed highlight of the night was the extraordinary reunion of Aurthohin’s four core members: Saidus Saleheen Khaled Sumon (affectionately known as ‘Bassbaba Sumon’), Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal, Shishir Ahmed, and Rafa.
The four musicians last performed together on the same stage in early 2012 before their respective career trajectories diverged. Following the release of their seminal album Dhrubok in 2003, Aurthohin took a five-year hiatus before returning with Oshamapto 1 in 2008, an era that redefined Bangladeshi alternative rock. Subsequent years saw significant changes within the band: Kamal joined the pioneering heavy metal band Warfaze, Rafa established Avoid Rafa, and Shishir pursued other creative avenues—including a temporary departure in 2023—before rejoining Aurthohin.
During the concert, the quartette commanded the stage for over an hour, delivering electrifying renditions of fan favourites such as Oshamapto, Anmone, and Odhbhut Shei Chheleti. Sumon’s long-standing remark that he rarely needs to sing because the audience sings for him proved accurate once more, as thousands of voices echoed every word throughout the venue. Among the crowd was Rusha Khanam, who travelled all the way from Faridpur to attend. Representing a younger demographic of listeners, she reflected on how Gen-Z fans had never witnessed this specific line-up live, describing the experience of hearing their favourite tracks performed together as deeply moving.
The conceptual mastermind behind the reunion was Rafa, who revealed that the idea had been simmering since his departure from Aurthohin in 2015. Drawing inspiration from iconic global acts like David Gilmour and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd—whose fans waited decades for a brief reunion—Rafa questioned why Bangladeshi audiences should not experience a similar moment. Personal loss and the relentless march of time accelerated his resolve; after losing his father, he realised that cherished dreams should not be deferred indefinitely.
“When we created those songs, we were young men. Now, younger audience members practically call us ‘uncles’,” Rafa remarked light-heartedly. He explained that performing these classic numbers directly in front of today’s youth ensured that the current generation experienced their groundbreaking sound firsthand rather than merely hearing about it second-hand from their parents.
Shishir Ahmed echoed these sentiments, labelling the night one of the finest moments of his career. Struck by the overwhelming affection from the crowd, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the fans whose enduring support made the milestone possible.
The evening also showcased collaborative performances beyond the reunion set. Musician Pritom Hasan joined Rafa to perform Cholo Arekbar Uri, while Rafa’s elder brother, Sadi Muktafi, took to the stage for Ami Akash Pathabo.
Regarding potential future collaborations, Rafa adopted a measured stance. He noted that overexposing a rare dynamic risks diminishing its value, emphasizing that while a strong demand has now been re-established, any future large-scale projects would depend on timing and circumstances. For fans across multiple generations, however, the night served as a triumphant celebration of Bangladeshi rock history.
