How many Bangladeshi artistes have performed in Pakistan or India, asks Hamin

Discussion has begun anew over the last-minute postponement of multiple concerts by Pakistani artistes in Dhaka. Although three concerts were scheduled to be held in Dhaka on Friday and Saturday, they were ultimately postponed as the organisers did not receive administrative permission. Over the past one to one-and-a-half years, several concerts have similarly been cancelled or postponed at the last minute.

Many have expressed frustration and annoyance over this. Amid this, 'Miles' fame musician Hamin Ahmed has raised a different question on the matter. In his view, if Pakistani artistes can come to Bangladesh and perform regularly, then Bangladeshi artistes and bands should also have the opportunity to perform in Pakistan. According to him, cultural relations should not be one-sided but should be based on mutual participation of artistes from both countries.

In a Facebook post on Thursday night, September 24, Hamin Ahmed wrote, "Nothing happens one-sidedly. The relationship has to be mutual, otherwise it is nothing! Tell me, how many Bangladeshi artistes or bands have performed in Pakistan so far? Or how many have performed in Pakistan in the last five years? Surely you understand what I am trying to say."

Alongside Pakistan, the artiste has raised a similar question regarding India. He said cultural exchange between artistes of the two countries is also limited. In his words, art and culture do not develop one-sidedly. He also raised the question of how mutual such a relationship can be if the door of one country is open for another country's artistes while opportunities in the opposite direction remain limited.

Hamin Ahmed also raised questions about the process of organising concerts. In his view, the concerned authorities need to look into how organisers get the opportunity to sell tickets before receiving full government permission, and why a situation of not receiving permission at the last moment is created repeatedly.

Meanwhile, the 'Max Republic' concert was scheduled to be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal on Friday. James, Ali Azmat, Mustafa Zahid and the band Jal were scheduled to perform. The organisers said the concert has been postponed and a new date will be announced later.

On the same day, another concert titled 'Sense It With Murtaza Qizilbash' was also postponed. Alongside Pakistan's Murtaza Qizilbash, Bangladesh's Habib Wahid was scheduled to perform. Additionally, a concert by Pakistani band 'Kavish' was scheduled for September 26. Bangladesh's bands Meghdol and Shironamhin were also scheduled to perform there. That too was ultimately postponed.