“Ityadi,” Bangladesh’s longest-running and beloved TV show, has ventured to Kurigram — the riverine northern district famed as a cradle of Bhawaiya music. This time, the program was shot on the grounds of the 150-year-old Ulipur Maharani Swarnamayee School and College, where its open campus turned into a living folk stage.
Set against the backdrop of Kurigram’s rivers and courses, the episode interlaces the district’s identity with its music via songs, short dramas, and features that salute those who have preserved the tradition. “Ityadi” creator Hanif Sanket, known for weaving humour, humanity, and history, said this episode pays homage to a land where melodies flow as freely as its rivers.
The show begins with a dance enactment to a song penned by Moniruzzaman Palash, evoking Kurigram’s culture and heritage. Under the direction of SK Zahid, over fifty local dancers perform, while Rajib and Tanzina Ruma provide vocals, with composition by Hanif Sanket and arrangement by Mehedi. The classic “O ki gariyal bhai,” once rendered by Bhawaiya legend Abbasuddin Ahmed, is revived in a fresh version by Salma Akter and local artist Purnachandra Roy.
Following its trademark interaction with viewers, “Ityadi” selected four Kurigram residents to join in a musical tribute to Bhawaiya’s legacy. The program also spotlights unsung local stories from Bangladesh’s remote reaches. Among these are features on the Maharani Swarnamoyee estate, the home of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, the heritage of Bir Pratik Taramon Bibi, and a revisit to the 2011 story of Abdul Kader, a young entrepreneur whose journey is now updated.
A highlight segment presents the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy, founded by veteran musician Bhupati Bhushan Barma, whose lifelong dedication nurtures upcoming folk singers. Barma and his pupils perform live in the episode, continuing his mission of safeguarding this musical heritage.
Additional reports examine life on Kurigram’s 400 river islands (chars), and a segment visits the Rikta Akhtar Banu (Lutfa) School for children with special needs in Chilmari. The episode’s foreign feature transports viewers to Singapore’s scenic St. John’s Island and the enigmatic Kusu Island, both celebrated for their architecture and natural charm. Comedy and satire are woven in through a witty exchange between a Kashhem TV journalist and his grandson, alongside the show’s usual letters, skits on social issues, and topical commentary.
The episode features a large cast including Solaiman Khoka, Abdullah Rana, Subhasish Bhowmik, Mukit Zakaria, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Amin Azad, Shahid Ali, Nipu, Abu Hena Rony, Shawon Majumdar, Sabrina Nisa, Jamil Hossain, Sadia Tanjin, Sujat Shimul, Hanif Palowan, and many others. Art direction and stage design came under Mukimul Anwar Mukim’s supervision. As always, the show is written, directed, and hosted by Hanif Sanket, produced by Fagun Audio Vision, and sponsored by Keya Cosmetics Ltd.
This Kurigram-themed “Ityadi” episode will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) on Friday, October 31 at 8:00 pm, following the Bangla news. In light of increasing interest in folk heritage, the producers have also announced plans for a companion online mini-series exploring the lives of Bhawaiya artists across northern Bangladesh — more details will be revealed soon.
Source: The Daily Star