‘The Legacy’ released to mark 55 years of The Concert for Bangladesh

A new musical tribute titled “The Legacy” has been released to commemorate the 55th anniversary of The Concert for Bangladesh, the historic fundraising event that united some of the world’s biggest musicians in support of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.

Moved by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Bangladesh, legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar approached his friend and former Beatles member George Harrison to organise a benefit concert. The event was held on August 1, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York, where two sold-out performances drew nearly 40,000 attendees.

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The landmark concert featured performances by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, who presented “Bangla Dhun”, a raga inspired by Bangladeshi folk melodies. Harrison performed his iconic song “Bangladesh”, while Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell were also among the star-studded line-up.

To mark the milestone, music arranger Jahangir Alam Srabon has released “The Legacy”, a musical visual that blends Ravi Shankar’s “Bangla Dhun” with Satyajit Ray’s “Aha Ki Ananda Akashe Batashe.”

The project features Srabon on the sitar, with vocals by Mahmudul Hasan, Sazia Sultana Putul, and Barnali Sarkar. Produced with the support of Orangebd, the music video has been released on the Orangebd and Covered by Srabon YouTube channels, as well as other online platforms.

Speaking about the project, Srabon said its purpose extends beyond commemorating a historic event.

“The aim of this initiative is not only to remember a historic moment, but also to introduce younger generations to the spirit of the Concert for Bangladesh, the history of our Liberation War, and the universal message of humanity conveyed through music. This musical tribute is our heartfelt homage to the extraordinary contributions of Pandit Ravi Shankar and the creative genius of Satyajit Ray.”