Since the 1990s, the popular magazine show ‘Ityadi’ has been traveling across Bangladesh, venturing far beyond the studio to highlight the nation’s roots: its history, heritage, natural beauty, culture and the rhythm of everyday life.
Continuing that legacy, the latest episode has been filmed in the northern border district of Kurigram, a region enriched by riverine landscapes, fertile silt plains and a deep tradition of bhawaiya folk music.
The grand stage for this episode was set up at the historic Ulipur Maharani Sornomoyee School and College, an institution with more than 150 years of heritage.
The filming turned the entire district into a festive zone. Crowds began gathering hours before the recording, filling the venue to capacity. Many who could not enter watched from nearby rooftops, trees and roads, braving the heat for a glimpse of their beloved show.
Viewers traveled not only from Kurigram’s upazilas but also from surrounding districts such as Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha. Locals said no other event in Kurigram’s history had drawn such a massive turnout.
Given Kurigram’s deep connection to bhawaiya, the soul-stirring folk music of northern Bengal, the episode prominently features the genre in songs, skits and reports.
The show opens with a dance and musical introduction celebrating Kurigram’s heritage, written by Moniruzzaman Palash, composed by Hanif Sanket and arranged by Mehedi. The song, performed by Rajib and Tanzina Ruma, features choreography by SK Zahid and performances from over 50 local dancers.
Another highlight is a new rendition of the timeless ‘O Ki Garial Bhai’, originally sung and composed by Bhawaiya legend Abbasuddin Ahmed.
For Ityadi, the song has been reinterpreted by contemporary folk artist Salma Akhter and northern Bhawaiya singer Purnachandra Roy, with music arrangement by Mehedi.
In the audience interaction segment, four participants were selected through a quiz on Kurigram’s history. They later took part in a musical round celebrating the district’s Bhawaiya legacy, accompanied by musicians from the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy.
As always, Ityadi continues to spotlight unsung heroes and educational stories from rural Bangladesh. This episode includes reports on Kurigram’s history, heritage sites and notable figures, such as Maharani Sornomoyee, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Bir Protik Taramon Bibi and the Chilmari river port.
A special feature focuses on the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy, founded by veteran artist Bhupoti Bhushan Barma, whose lifelong efforts helped preserve Bhawaiya music from decline. Barma and his students also perform a Bhawaiya piece in the show.
The episode revisits Abdul Kader, a young social entrepreneur from Kurigram previously featured in Ityadi in 2011, with a follow-up on his continued community work. Another segment explores the lives and livelihoods of residents across Kurigram’s 400 river islands (chars).
A human-interest story highlights Rikta Akhter Banu (Lutfa) and her school for children with special needs in Chilmari. The international report takes viewers to Singapore, showcasing the architectural beauty of St. John’s Island and the mystical Kusu Island.
The episode also includes Ityadi’s signature blend of humor and satire, including a lighthearted exchange between a Kashem TV reporter and his grandson, as well as skits addressing contemporary social issues. Among them are ‘Udor Pindi Budor Ghare’, ‘Viral Virus’, “Doybodh Bonam Aybodh’, ‘Upohar Utpat’ and ‘Jotakranto Rikshaw Chaloker Bharakranto Obhibyakti’.
Performers in this episode include Solaiman Khoka, Abdul Aziz, Abdullah Rana, Subhashish Bhowmik, Zillur Rahman, Mukit Zakaria, Amin Azad, Shahid Ali, Ashraful Alam Sohag, Tarik Swapan, Abu Hena Rony, Shaon Majumder, Sabrina Nisa, Jamil Hossain, Rimu Roja Khondokar, Sadia Tanzin, Sujat Shimul, Hanif Palowan, Nazrul Islam, Suchona Shikdar, Rajib Salehin and Belal Ahmed Murad, among others.
Art direction and stage design were led by Mokimul Anwar Mukim, Ityadi’s longtime visual director.
The Ulipur episode of Ityadi will air on Bangladesh Television (BTV) on Friday, October 31, at 8:00 pm, right after the evening Bangla news. The show is written, directed and hosted by Hanif Sanket, and produced by Fagun Audio Vision.
