Manik Mia Avenue witnessed an unprecedented turnout on Saturday as thousands gathered for the ‘Concert for Solidarity’, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The vast audience spilled over from the main avenue towards the Khamarbari intersection, stretching as far as the Farmgate metro rail station.
Commencing at 3:30 pm, the musical evening kicked off with heavy metal outfit Mechanix, who opened their 40-minute five-song set with ‘Aparajeyo’. Paying tribute to their late and former band members with ‘Niyoti’, they also enthralled music lovers with ‘Chhinnaprishtha’, ‘Shubhro Shohor’, and their hit track ‘Bishshoy’. Popular band Shironamhin took the stage next, performing their signature track ‘Pakhi’, followed by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s patriotic classic ‘Durgam Giri Kantar-Moru’. Their rendition of ‘Ei Obelay’ drew a passionate response as thousands of voices sang along across the venue, alongside performances of ‘Ma’, ‘Ichhe Ghuri’, and ‘Abar Hashi’.
The momentum continued as Artcell and Feedback performed, leading into a powerful set by Warfaze. Opening with ‘Hariye Tomake’, Warfaze delivered a succession of crowd favourites including ‘Ashamajik’, ‘Tomake’, ‘Jaat Gelo’, ‘Moharaj’, ‘Purnota’, and ‘Boshè Achhi Eka’. Legendary rock band Miles took the stage shortly afterwards, launching their performance with ‘Jwala Jwala’ before concluding with their iconic hit ‘Firiye Dao’.
Taking the stage at 10:00 pm as the focal attraction of the night, Nagarbaul James greeted the roaring crowd with “Good night Dhaka, I love you.” He opened his set with ‘Kobita Tumi Shopnocharini Hoye’ before treating the audience to a sequence of hits including ‘Diwana’, ‘Guru’, ‘Ma’, ‘Dustu Chheler Dol’, ‘Bangladesh’, ‘Meera Bai’, ‘Taray Taray’, and ‘Pagla Hawa’. Between songs, James repeatedly expressed his gratitude to fans, declaring, “You are my soul, you are my life,” before bringing the concert to a close with ‘Bhigee Bhigee’.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Jubayer Ahmed Babu, Member Secretary of the Television Editors Council. Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Yasmin Begum, highlighted that the initiative was designed to provide public entertainment while rekindling the spirit of National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Delivering the chief guest’s address, Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leading the nation towards economic prosperity and stability, emphasising that the ideals of the day must guide the country forward.
