Celebrating Folk Music with Legendary Artists

Aiming to bring the rich heritage of Bengal’s folk music to contemporary audiences, the private television channel Channel i has launched an innovative programme titled “i Folk Fever.” Designed as a celebration of traditional melodies, the series features both renowned veterans of music and popular new-generation singers performing together in a vibrant folk-inspired setting. The show will air in a total of 23 episodes on Channel i in the coming months.

The organisers emphasise that the initiative seeks to introduce younger generations to the roots and beauty of folk music, ensuring that these cultural treasures continue to resonate in modern times.

The first recording, featuring the celebrated singer Sabina Yasmin, took place last Monday at the Channel i studio. In her episode, she performed five popular folk songs, delighting the crew with her signature blend of classical, modern, patriotic, and cinematic music. Speaking after the recording, she said,

“Channel i has always supported music programmes across films, dramas, and talk shows. Folk songs are the songs of our soil, the essence of our culture. I have never performed so many folk songs together in a single programme before. Singing all five was immensely enjoyable. I am grateful to Channel i for arranging this initiative, and especially pleased that Jahangir Saeed invited me.”

The series features a stellar line-up of artists, including Rafiqul Alam, Khurshid Alam, Konokchapa, Ferdous Ara, Salma, Liza, Luifa, Sagar Dewan, Aleya Boyati, Akkas Dewan, Kajol Dewan, Jhilk, Mukta Sarkar, Parvez, Ashik, Akash Mahmud, and Nakul Kumar Biswas, among others. The production is led by Iftekhar Munim Ahsan, with planning and creative direction by Jahangir Saeed.

Another veteran performer, Ferdous Ara, highlighted the cultural significance of folk music:

“Folk songs are linked to our roots. They reflect human life, joy, sorrow, love, and stories of nature. If the younger generation engages with these songs, our musical heritage will remain vibrant. I am truly happy that Channel i has undertaken this initiative.”

Renowned musician Rafiqul Alam echoed this sentiment, noting,

“Our country has an extraordinary repository of folk songs, but many are disappearing over time. Television can revive them and present them to viewers in a fresh format. This is why Channel i’s initiative is timely and important.”

Similarly, Khurshid Alam stated,

“Folk songs are not merely entertainment; they are part of our history and culture. Sharing the stage with young artists to perform them is a delight, and I hope the programme reaches a wide audience.”

Organisers believe that “i Folk Fever” will significantly enhance the visibility of Bengali folk music, fostering appreciation among younger viewers and helping preserve this rich cultural tradition for future generations.

Participating Artists

This comprehensive series aims to bridge generations, highlighting the timeless appeal and cultural importance of Bengal’s folk music.