World Music Day celebrated with 'Music for Peace' theme by Srishti Bishwamoy

The universal power of music was celebrated across the globe on World Music Day 2026, with cultural organisation Srishti Bishwamoy hosting a colourful programme in the capital under the theme 'Music for Peace'.

The event was held on Saturday, June 21, at the Chhayanaut Auditorium in Dhanmondi, featuring music, recitation, dance and a discussion session.

Veteran journalist Basudeb Dhar presided over the discussion, with theatre personality Khairul Alam Sabuj attending as the chief guest. Cultural personality Golam Mostafa was the special guest, while artist Priyanka Gope, Chairperson of the Music Department at Dhaka University, spoke as the main discussant. Cultural organiser Pulak Raha gave the welcome address, and the organisation's General Secretary Alok Dasgupta delivered the vote of thanks.

Speakers said music penetrates deep into the human heart and can eliminate hatred, intolerance and unrest. They stressed the importance of cultural practice for the creative development of children and adolescents and called for increased government and private patronage.

Performers included Shamima Rahman Munni, Barsha Raha, Ashrafun Nesa Khanam Munni, Tarun Karmakar, Jinat Ferdous Shabi, Zakaria Sumon, Abida Rahman Setu, Zafar Ahmed, Rojat Shubhra Bishwas, Sanowara Jahan Nitu, Abhijit De and Martina M Sangma Trisha.

Recitations were presented by Monisha Sarkar, Anisur Rahman Shahin and Abida Sultana Alifa. Alok Dasgupta and Abida Rahman Setu performed Himangshu Bishwas's 'Shankhachil'. Group performances by Bohnishikha, Pancho Bhaskar, Anandan and Shomoswar captivated the audience.

A dance performance by Bohnishikha and Salil Chowdhury's famous song 'E Je Ondhokare Bose Bandho Dware Shudhu' drew special praise from the audience. The programme was conducted by recitation artists Poli Parvin, Shoaib Ahmed and Rupshri Chakraborty.

The World Music Day celebration concluded with the national anthem.