The concert began at around 8pm on Monday (2 November) at the university’s Science Building premises. A large number of students and teachers gathered at the venue to see the celebrated singer perform live. Excitement spread across the campus as the performance got under way, with students eagerly awaiting their favourite songs.
James, widely known as the frontman of the rock band Nagar Baul, had last performed at Jagannath University during its founding anniversary celebrations in 2016. His return after 10 years made the occasion particularly special for the university community, especially students who had long hoped to see him perform on campus again.
Throughout the concert, the audience responded enthusiastically to his performance. Students sang along to familiar tracks, applauded and cheered as James took the stage. Many also captured the memorable moments on their mobile phones.
For students, the concert was not simply another entertainment programme. It was an opportunity to experience the performance of one of Bangladesh’s most recognisable rock musicians in their own university surroundings.
Israt Jahan, a student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, said she had been listening to James’s songs since childhood.
She described watching him perform live on her university campus and singing along with him as an extraordinary experience. She added that the anniversary celebrations would remain a memorable occasion for students.
Shahriar Kader Plabon, a student of the Department of Marketing, also expressed his delight at the concert. He said students were thrilled to enjoy a live performance by an artist as popular as James.
According to Plabon, the enthusiasm among the audience remained evident throughout the event. He also expressed the hope that the university would organise similar musical programmes every year, giving students more opportunities to enjoy performances by celebrated artists.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rais Uddin was also present during the performance. Addressing students, he said the university would take initiatives to invite James again for future institutional events. His assurance was warmly received, with students expressing excitement at the possibility of another performance by the singer on campus.
The celebrations marked the 21st founding anniversary of Jagannath University, observed on 2 November 2026. This year’s theme was ‘Youthful Spirit, United Jagannathians’.
The university organised various programmes and activities throughout the day to commemorate the occasion. Cultural events were an important part of the celebrations, with James’s concert emerging as one of the major attractions.
Jagannath University was established in its present public university form in 2005, although its institutional history dates back much further. Its anniversary celebrations provide an opportunity for students, teachers and other members of the university community to reflect on its journey and strengthen their sense of belonging.
James’s return after a decade added a special dimension to this year’s celebrations. For many students, the opportunity to sing along with a favourite musician in their own campus made the evening particularly memorable. His performance also prompted hopes that the university would continue to bring prominent artists to its future cultural events.
