The first Bangla Festival has ended. The festival chiefly for music started on January 4 at Nazrul Manch, Kolkata in India. Singers from Bangladesh and India have taken part in the festival. In its first edition the festival has felicitated Bangladeshi singer Sabiya Yasmin and Kolkata- based singer Aarti Mukhopadhyay. The festival not only featured music but also traditional food right from Bangladesh for those in Kolkata. Paturi, sweets, mustard-marinated-Hilsha, fried fish, Khichuri were among the eateries from Bangladesh.

Sabina Yasmin on receiving her award said, "Winning any award is a matter of pride. I want to divide my newest achievement with both parts of Bengal." Aarti Mukhopadhyay said, "I have received awards in many occasions before but this award is truly special."

The second day of the festival was uplifted by the performances of Khairul Anam Shakil, Bulbul Islam, Ifffat Ara Dewan, Joyoti Chakraborty, Indrani Sen, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Auditi Mohsin, Gautam Das Baul, Chandana Majumdar and more. Kolkata-based singer Indrani Sen though known for Tagore renditions demonstrated her skills in Nazrul songs. Laisa Ahmed Lisa, another familiar face for Tagore songs also presented diversities in the tunes of Dwijendralal Ray, Atul Prasad Sen and of course Rabindranath Tagore.

Chirkutt presented the final performances of the day with their popular hits "More Jaabo", "Ahare Jibon", "Jadur Shahar", "Kanamachhi" and Aynabazi's popular song "Naa Buji Duniya." Another band Chandrabindu, from India also performed on the day.

Some young voices also took their opportunities to sing at the mega event. Among them were Dolly Mondol, Mostafizur Rahman from Bangladesh and Akash Bhattacharya from India among others.