Concert
Spreading the spirit of humanity
Elixir, a band group of schoolboys, gives a sensational stage performance at the Russian Cultural Center to raise funds
Aziz Amirul

INSHA-ALLAH I would soon return home, completely cured, as I am continuously showered with blessing, love and help of the 13 crore people of Bangladesh!", said Shamima Sharmin Shuchi, the unfortunate cancer-struck meritorious student, while leaving for Bangkok, in an emotion-charged voice.

"By the grace of the god, Shuchi is now stable and recovering from her bone-marrow surgery, and is apparently out of danger", revealed Shirin Quader, the local guardian of Shuchi, while speaking at a charity concert held in aid of the girl at the Russian Cultural Center auditorium on September 22.

"The way the young members of the society have come forward to help Shuchi and even before that Amit, is a testimony to the great humanitarian spirit that is uniting us as a society and also we hope similar progr-ammes would soon be taken to help numerous other 'Shuchis' in the country who are caught between life with death", said Mrs. Quader, thanking all for providing support in cash and kind.

Renowned singer and music teacher of Greenherald SFX School Timir Nandi and his colleague Abdul Halim organised the charity show as Elixir, the band group of the senior SFX students put up a brilliant performance of two hours with over a dozen popular numbers of English and Bangla as well with some self-composed songs in front of an over-brimming crowd at the auditorium of the Russian Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi. This same group performed at Alliance Francaise in September 2000 to raise fund for Amit, the boy who suffers from Wild Polio virus.

Though the 200-plus audience waited eagerly for the show to start, yet the speeches delivered by the distinguished personalities was worth listening too.

"I am grateful to the people of this country who have once teamed up again to save a precious life of Shuchi after saving the life of little Amit", said a highly emotion-choked Moshiur Rahman, father of Amit. "Right at the beginning of Shuchi's illness, it was me who knew well that the girl would recover because my son Amit, with his confidence and faith, told that Shuchi would definitely survive, just like Amit himself, because she has the love and support of the people of Bangladesh", added the humble father of Amit, a special guest of the evening who decided to come in aid of Shuchi with a support of Tk. 20,000!

Timir Nandi, a superbly enterprising organiser, gave a brief introducing of his young band members and their activities over the recent past. "My boys, all inside seventeen years, have been trying to do something to lessen the pain and sufferings of man in their small way for the last couple of years and I also felt that they should come in all style and behaviour for the cause of humanity and help the needy", spoke a busy Timir.

The auditorium, specially the back seaters cheered away as the boys emerged on the stage a dreamlike soft bluish spotlight hanged on their head like a halo.

With the concert nearly completing its first hour, an announcement seemed to push the frenzied crowd to the brink of excitement. Bibi Russell, a celebrity figure in Bangladesh, arrived at the venue as a special guest. "All our hopes and aspiration lie among our youth, for a true and solid foundation of an ideal Bangladesh. It is the younger generation, who can build our tomorrow. We are eager to meet a healthy and smiling Shuchi very soon and I would request young singers and budding artists to save numerous other lives through various support activities", expressed Bibi in her brief welcome speech to the audience.

But it seems that the young performers themselves are the most dedicated and committed of all, fully determined to do some noble task.

Naved lead guitarist expr-essed his desire to providing some pleasing hours to the audience seeking their continual support which would ultimately be the greatest inspiration for the members of Elixir.

Moin, one of the two vocals, also sought support from the audience and extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Timir Nandi, their instructor in helping and guiding Elixir to its success.

"There is a general belief among the guardians that pop and band singers achieve perfection of their singing capacity through the intake of narcotic drugs, etc. But, we through our sincere, clean and dedicated efforts, would one day prove that this is wrong notion held by our parents and seniors. We hope to bring a basic changes in our attitude about band music in Bangladesh", said Mahin, main vocalist and guitarist.

Bobby Dias, presently based in India, handles the keyboard of Elixir. Still passing days with a limping ankle as a result of an accident. He returned to Dhaka a few days ago only to perform in the concert for the ailing Shuchi. Soft-spoken Bobby thanking the Square Group,sponsoring company, urged other large groups and business houses to extend their hand of support for humanitarian cause.

"We request renowned singers and band groups of our country to come forward to lessen the sufferings of our bother and sisters", commented Arsalan, the Elixir drummer.

As the programme reached its end a call from Amit in his father's cellular phone changed the mood of the entire setting. A highly emotional Timir Nandi took the phione set to hear the voice of Amit, who called with the help of his mother, to extend his heartfelt thanks and regards to the organisers and audience of this special evening! Further, he wanted to hear and enjoy the songs of Elixir over phone.

The attractive yet emotion-filled musical concert finally came to an end with the spirit of bondage and caring for other.