Kolkata celebrates World Music Day in tune with history

Savouring fests that blended tradition and trend, and juxtaposed the old and the new, music lovers from the city ushered in the World Music Day Friday, days after a landmark music store decided to wind up after being unable to stand up to piracy and internet downloading.

In a testament to Kolkata's indomitable spirit, 70 city-based bands spread the sound of music across the eastern metropolis, whose music industry was jolted last week when the Music World store on fashionable Park Street decided to down shutters.

The fete, organised by Alliance Francaise, brought in the bands to perform at nine hotspots in Kolkata, including malls, popular clubs and arenas.

As a tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's musical genius, a truck converted into a mobile stage playing music, started its journey from Rabindra Bharati University (Jorasanko Campus) and enlivened locales across the city.

Nineteenth century Bengali theatre actress Binodini Dasi, popularly known as Notee Binodoni, was remembered through enactments of selected songs and scenes from nine of her plays, including "Lilabati", by students of Rabindra Bharati University.

Noted percussionist Bickram Ghosh captivated audiences with his project Rhythmscape as part of 'Engage 2013', eastern India's largest digital media summit.