Popular singer-songwriter Miftah Zaman returned to the solo stage after nearly two years on Friday with his concert ‘Otopor Odhora’, taking the audience through a three-hour musical journey featuring his popular originals, Bengali classics and songs from dramas.

The concert began at 6:30 pm at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and continued until around 9:30 pm, with Miftah frequently interacting with the audience, sharing stories behind his songs and inviting fans to join him in familiar numbers.

The singer opened the evening with ‘Borsha Raatey’ and went on to perform ‘Tomar Akash Dekhbo Bole’, ‘Tumi Ar Nei Shei Tumi’, ‘Koshtoguloke Shukote De Na’ and ‘Shihoron’.

His fan-favourite track ‘Shihoron’ was performed in two versions, including its rock arrangement and a slower rendition with audience participation.

Miftah also performed ‘Ami Cheye Cheye Dekhi Saradin’, during which a senior citizen came to the front of the stage and danced to the song, becoming one of the evening’s more spontaneous moments.

The first segment continued with ‘Koto Kichhu Baki’, the title song of a drama, followed by ‘Prapti Shunno’, ‘Mone Pore Ruby Roy’, ‘Otopor Odhora’, ‘Vranti’ and ‘Naam Rekhechhi Bonolota’.

Throughout the performance, Miftah spoke with the audience at regular intervals, often after one or two songs. Alongside performing his original compositions, he shared the stories behind several of the songs and thanked their lyricists.

After a 10-minute break, the second segment began with ‘Bishorjon’ and continued with ‘Bhalo Theko’, ‘Kothay Kothay Je Raat Hoye Jay’, ‘Eka Thakte Dao’, ‘Please Nijer Kheyal Rekho’, ‘Odeetia’, ‘Bhaar’ and ‘Onno Karo Golpe’.

The singer then moved between contemporary songs and familiar Bengali classics with ‘Hoyto Tomari Jonno’, ‘Valobasha Hoye Thakbo Tomar Pashe’ and ‘Mon Haralo Haralo’.

He also performed the Nazrul song ‘Porodeshi Megh’ and Manna Dey’s ‘Ami Je Jolshaghar’, followed by ‘Ami Kichhu Araal Korini’ from ‘Boro Chheler Gaan’, ‘Dujon Dupothe’ and ‘Ki Naamey Deke’.

The latter part of the concert featured ‘Obelay’ and ‘Chiro Odhora’, before Miftah closed the evening with ‘Jibone Ki Pabona’.

The interaction between the singer and his longtime listeners became more personal towards the end of the concert. A middle-aged female fan told Miftah that although the younger generation now has numerous terms for different kinds of relationships, his songs continue to rekindle a sense of love among people of her generation.

Miftah later addressed three audience members who had won a contest related to the concert and, through them, thanked all his fans for their continued support.

Expressing his desire to continue meeting audiences through such live performances, Miftah said, “My wish is to hold at least one such concert every year.”

Miftah was accompanied by Rimon on keyboard, Shojib on drums, and guitarists Dipu and Nipu.

'Otopor Odhora’ was organised and managed under the overall coordination of Britto Communications. It marked Miftah’s return to a solo concert after a gap of nearly two years and brought together songs from different stages of his musical career.