Covid-19 disbands bands
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
January 28, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2023
Covid-19 disbands bands

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Sanjoy Sarker and Hossain Shahid
03 November, 2020, 01:10 pm
Last modified: 03 November, 2020, 02:44 pm

Related News

  • Twin shocks call for stronger domestic policy response
  • China rings in Lunar New Year with most Covid rules lifted
  • Covid-19 deaths down 9% worldwide in past week: WHO
  • WHO recommends that China monitor excess Covid-19 mortality
  • China retaliates against S.Korea, Japan over Covid curbs

Covid-19 disbands bands

About 700 musicians of around 110 bands from different villages of Netrokona and Mymensingh are living in perilous economic conditions due to the crisis

Sanjoy Sarker and Hossain Shahid
03 November, 2020, 01:10 pm
Last modified: 03 November, 2020, 02:44 pm
A band parades a road ahead of a procession. People involved in such bands in Mymensingh have taken a severe hit by the pandemic, which has left them without work. Many of them have left the traditional profession. Photo: TBS
A band parades a road ahead of a procession. People involved in such bands in Mymensingh have taken a severe hit by the pandemic, which has left them without work. Many of them have left the traditional profession. Photo: TBS

Md Rafique would travel around different places of the country with his musical troupe, 'Digital Band Party'. Performing with other members of the group was like a form of divine worship to him.

As the leader of the band, based in Satpai area of Netrokona Sadar, he was invited to remote villages to perform in different festivals, including Jatra-pala, theatre, musical events, religious festivals, wedding ceremonies, and other local rituals.

The band was also invited to play their instruments in a number of shows, rallies and processions of different organizations, product promotions, etc.

But the Covid-19 pandemic has completely halted their trade, with restrictions being imposed on socio-cultural events and public gatherings in the country in an attempt to contain the virus.

"Musicians have been unemployed since March due to coronavirus-induced restrictions," said Rafique.

Other band parties of Netrokona and Mymensingh areas of the country are facing the same crisis – completely stranded without income for the last eight months. Although the government has provided special financial assistance to low-income groups during the pandemic, band musicians were left out in the cold.

Being unemployed for such a long time, musicians have been compelled to change professions, many having resorted to selling off their precious instruments.

Sagar Mia, a drummer of a local band from the Rail Crossing area of Netrokona city, said, "I have been living on loans due to the pandemic. I now owe more than Tk25,000. Now I am a rickshaw puller, having no other options."

Photo: TBS
Photo: TBS

Some other musicians from the same area – Mintu Mia, Nidhu Das, Har Kumar and Parimal Das – like Sagar, they have also switched their professions, and are now driving easy-bikes in the area.

About 700 musicians of around 110 bands from different villages of Netrokona and Mymensingh are living in perilous economic conditions due to the crisis.

In Netrokona alone, there are around 100 bands in different areas, including Sadar's Satpai, Pukuria area, Purbadhala upazila's Kaldoar, Narayandohor, Mohonganj's Maghan, Daulatpur Barhatta's Kakura, Telegati of Atpara upazila.

Given that a band consists of around six to 10 members, this would come to more than 500 musicians in the district. Most entered the profession after following in the footsteps of their fathers and grandfathers before them. It is estimated that around 4,000 people are dependent on their earnings.

The Durga Puja festival is one of the most lucrative seasons for these bands. But Covid-19 curtailed the celebrations this year.

"Every year we are invited to perform for four to five consecutive days during the Durga Puja festival. Each team earns Tk50,000 to Tk1 lakh. We wait eagerly for the festival. But this year, Covid-19 has shattered all our hopes," said Shahid Mia, a clarinet player from Kaldoar village of Purbodhola.

Abdur Rahman has been playing the flute for different bands since childhood. He formed his own group, and now supports his family, including his children's education, with his earnings.

But with no other source of income, he was forced to sell all his instruments. 

"The money I got from selling the instruments has almost run out. I do not know how we will survive in the days ahead," said Rahman.

Bishwajit Goswami, general secretary of Netrokona Band Party Samity, said, "The District Administration has provided some financial assistance to cultural activists through Shilpakala Academy and other bodies. But band artists have been neglected."

Kazi Md Abdur Rahman, the deputy commissioner of Netrokona, told The Business Standard, "I have heard that the musical troupe members are suffering great economic hardship. A list of artists will be drawn up and initiatives will be taken up to support them."

Musicians of different bands in Mymensing are also facing a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Akbar Mia, a member of National Band Party, said, "There are about ten famous bands in this district. About 200 people are involved with bands in the district. There are many solo artists."

Photo: TBS
Photo: TBS

Abdul Hamid of Sumon & Hamid Band Party in Bagmara area of Mymensingh said, "I am not getting any booking requests because of Covid-19. How long can I sit like this without work?" 

"So, I'm now forced to make ends meet by selling lemons on the pavement. If the pandemic does not end quickly, I have to set aside my musical instruments permanently and go to work as a permanent day labourer to feed my 12-member family," he added.

Abdul Jalil of Janata Band Party said, "In the past, one could earn an average of Tk3,000 a day by playing musical instruments in various rallies or processions. During special events such as weddings and puja festivals, one could get Tk10,000-12,000.

But all work has stopped for the past eight months due to Covid-19."

Biplob Sarkar, a flautist from Charsirta area of Mymensingh, said is not engaged in any specific band, but works as a freelancer for multiple groups. But recently, all invitations have dried up.

Despite receiving some support from local government and non-government organizations during the lockdown, he is not getting anything now.

Mymensingh District Cultural Officer, Arju Parvez, said, "Many band musicians have told me about their problems. We are trying to support them as much as we can."

Top News

band / pandemic / Covid -19

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • How will Bangladesh pay for massive upcoming power projects this year?
    How will Bangladesh pay for massive upcoming power projects this year?
  • Israeli forces work next to a covered body at the scene of a shooting attack in Neve Yaacov which lies on occupied land that Israel annexed to Jerusalem after the 1967 Middle East war January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
    Seven dead in synagogue attack outside Jerusalem
  •  Gautam Adani, center.Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg
    What really worries Indians about Adani's empire

MOST VIEWED

  • Incepta Pharma abandons Covid vaccine plan
    Incepta Pharma abandons Covid vaccine plan
  • Test tube labelled "Covid-19 Omicron variant test positive" is seen in this illustration picture taken 15 January, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
    Tighter screening at ports urged as new Covid sub-variant BF.7 detected
  • Test tube labelled "Covid-19 Omicron variant test positive" is seen in this illustration picture taken 15 January, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
    First case of new Covid sub-variant Omicron BF.7 detected in Bangladesh: IEDCR
  • Illustration: Collected
    Genome sequencing reports of Chinese nationals infected with Covid by Sunday: IEDCR
  • Computer image of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to Covid-19
    4 Chinese nationals detected with Covid at Dhaka airport
  • Omicron BF7: Land ports still left unguarded
    Omicron BF7: Land ports still left unguarded

Related News

  • Twin shocks call for stronger domestic policy response
  • China rings in Lunar New Year with most Covid rules lifted
  • Covid-19 deaths down 9% worldwide in past week: WHO
  • WHO recommends that China monitor excess Covid-19 mortality
  • China retaliates against S.Korea, Japan over Covid curbs

Features

Sketch:TBS

Why we need consumer education for consumer wellbeing

15h | Thoughts
Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Executive Director, Policy Research Institute. Illustration: TBS

Twin shocks call for stronger domestic policy response

16h | Thoughts
December-er shohor, taxi taken for airport and the Park Street bathed in lights. Photo: Jannatul Naym Pieal

Exploring Kolkata on foot, empowered by Google Maps

17h | Explorer
Island hopping in Bangladesh?

Island hopping in Bangladesh?

19h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Kajol’s road paintings bring change in Gafargaon

Kajol’s road paintings bring change in Gafargaon

1d | TBS Stories
Carew & Company witnessed a remarkable growth

Carew & Company witnessed a remarkable growth

1d | TBS Stories
Gavi may have to leave Camp Nou

Gavi may have to leave Camp Nou

6h | TBS SPORTS
After all the controversies, how is Shah Rukh Khan's ‘Pathaan’?

After all the controversies, how is Shah Rukh Khan's ‘Pathaan’?

8h | TBS Entertainment

Most Read

1
Picture: Collected
Bangladesh

US Embassy condemns recent incidents of visa fraud

2
Four top bankers arrested in DSA case filed by S Alam group 
Bangladesh

Four top bankers arrested in DSA case filed by S Alam group 

3
Illustration: TBS
Banking

16 banks at risk of capital shortfall if top 3 borrowers default

4
Photo: Collected
Splash

Hansal Mehta responds as Twitter user calls him 'shameless' for making Faraaz

5
A frozen Beyond Burger plant-based patty. Photographer: AKIRA for Bloomberg Businessweek
Bloomberg Special

Fake meat was supposed to save the world. It became just another fad

6
Representational Image
Banking

Cash-strapped Islami, Al-Arafah and National turn to Sonali Bank for costly fund

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]