‘Concert from Bangladesh’ to revisit history

To recall the history of solidarity embedded in the historical "Concert for Bangladesh", London-based UBIK Productions and Dhaka-based Samdani Art Foundation (SAF), supported by British Council Digital Collaboration Fund, is going to organise a mixed reality digital concert titled "Concert from Bangladesh". 

The concert will go live to audiences on New York City-based Pioneer Works' digital platform on August 1, accompanied by live events at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, UK.

All proceeds raised will be equally distributed between the performing musicians and Friendship, a Bangladeshi charity organisation that provides healthcare for climate refugees and promotes women's rights in Bangladesh.

The organisations have commissioned British-South Asian artist Shezad Dawood to create a virtual-reality stage for the concert.

The event will expand on the 50-year legacy of "Concert for Bangladesh"-- the original charity concert initiated by Ravi Shankar and George Harrison of Beatles' fame to aid efforts for relief distribution and resolving the refugee crisis during the Liberation War.

Co-curated by Diana Campbell, artistic director of SAF, with Dhaka-born music producer and artist Enayet Kabir, together with assistant curators Ruxmini Choudhury and Shoummo Saha, the concert will showcase a wealth of talent across varied Bangladeshi musical traditions.

Additional events will take place with Chisenhale Gallery (London), at Leeds City Varieties Music Hall (Leeds) and Srihatta Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park (Sylhet).