Bangladeshi alternative rock band Nemesis celebrated their 25th anniversary with a special concert in Dhaka on Friday night, featuring the return of former guitarist Maher Khan and drawing a large crowd at InterContinental Dhaka’s Winter Garden.
The silver jubilee concert, titled ‘Eto Din-er Poreo Je’, began at 6 pm and continued until around 9:30 pm, opening with the track ‘Janala’ and moving through some of the band’s most well-known songs including ‘Na Ghumder Gaan’, ‘Obocheton’, ‘Bir’, ‘Gonojowar’, ‘Kolporajjo’, ‘Eto Din-er Poreo Je’, ‘Shesh Gaan’ and others, before closing with the anthem ‘Kobe’, which was sung along word for word by the audience.
The event was built around nostalgia and reflection, as the band revisited more than two decades of music that has shaped Bangladesh’s alternative rock scene.
The night also saw appearances by former members, including drummer Dio Haque, alongside guest performers such as Jamshed Chowdhury of Powersurge and Cryptic Fate frontman Shakib Chowdhury, as well as guitarist Farhan Samad.
However, the most emotional moment of the evening came when Maher Khan returned to the stage. He had left Nemesis in 2012, after the band had reached significant popularity following albums such as ‘Tritio Jatra’ and songs like Kobe. His return after years away from the public music scene was met with a strong response from fans.
For many in the audience, his appearance felt like a revival of a formative era of Bangla rock, particularly for those who grew up during the 2000s and early 2010s.
On stage, Maher performed alongside current guitarist Ifaz Abrar Reza, whom Shakib Chowdhury described as one of the best guitarists in the modern era. Their joint performance became one of the defining highlights of the night.
Throughout the concert, Nemesis showcased the tight, synchronised style that has long defined their live performances, reflecting years of collaboration and evolution within Bangladesh’s rock music landscape. The audience also included musicians and members from several prominent Bangladeshi bands.
Speaking during the event, Maher Khan said he was surprised by the continued affection from fans. “When the organisers told me that fans are still this eager to see me perform and still want me at concerts, it honestly surprised me,” he said. “It feels really good to return after so long and perform again for all of our listeners.”
Frontman Zohad Reza Chowdhury also reflected on the band’s journey, telling the audience, “As a Bangla band, we never imagined people would give us this much love. Thank you all for being here tonight; this evening will remain unforgettable for us forever.”
Nemesis was formed in 1999 by a group of young music enthusiasts in Dhaka and officially emerged under the name in 2000. The band rose to prominence with their debut album ‘Onneshon’ in 2005, later strengthening their position in the country’s rock scene through albums including ‘Tritio Jatra’, ‘Gonojowar’ and ‘VIP’.
Currently, the band consists of Zohad Reza Chowdhury on vocals and guitar, Sultan Rafsan Khan and Ifaz Abrar Reza on guitars, Raquibun Nabi Ratul on bass and Jeffrey Ovijit on drums.
