Auckland Bangladeshi Entertainment Group (ABEG)

Finally after a long time Bangladeshi community had a concert by prominent visiting artists from Bangladesh. We had the opportunity to see Abida Sultana and Rafiqul Alam performing at Auckland. Bangladesh community only had opportunity to see Fakir Alamgir, Kaderi Kibria and Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna in span of last 16 years as a visiting artist! I guess due to proper support and non-cooperation between the people of our community here who often gets divided on personal issues hampering frequent organisation of such events. 

We have talented cultural people and organisers who always felt the need for a separate body or organisation which will not represent any specific group amongst our community but will have involvement from all the talented people within our community to focus solely on organising such events. That dream was fulfilled by formation of Auckland Bangladeshi Entertainment Group - ABEG. The acronym also conveys a Bangla word (আবেগ) which means whatever we do we do it passionately.

ABEG's first project was the concert by Abida Sultana and Rafiqul Alam at Auckland Liberty Church Theatre. The month long project was very successful although when personal grievance tried to over-shadow the event by discouraging people within the community to attend the event. It was sad but I believe people who missed the event realised later that they have missed a milestone event and this famous artist couple perhaps will not pay Auckland a visit in near future as a performer as they are busy with much larger events in Australia, US and other European countries. Both Abida Sultana and Rafiqul Alam were also shocked and saddened by the groupings amongst our small number of Bangladeshis here. 

As a whole - the whole concert was very professionally arranged - from theatre to ticket design - every aspects were handled by experts in their own field giving the event this huge success. Having ABEG's band group playing live with Rafiqul Alam's few songs added more vibrancy to the event. No other Bangladeshi performer ever had this support. The stage design attracted everyone's attention and it portrayed how a professional designer can make a great set for the event. Everyone enjoyed the solid sound and the performing artists were also happy equally. 

ABEG's journey just started and it has two wings - event organisation and band group. The idea started as having a band group as we have all types of musical instrument expertise and good voices. But soon we also realised our community lacks good professional organisers of such events. With like minded people and with host of experience in those areas - event management wing was formed. Today ABEG is fine tuning it's operation and management practice and at the same time will meet the community with their vision and plans to get the whole community involved with them. Our community is yet to realised that this organisation has no interest in local politics nor it represents the main goal presented by our BANZI or Society. In my opinion the sooner our BANZI and BNZFS official understands that - I am sure they and whole community will benefit. 

Our main problem is our ego and the mentality to showing off what I have done for the community. I am not saying it's bad to do something good for the community and showing off about it. But it's wrong to show off to the community when you don't have any clue of what you are doing. As a result - either these people don't do anything or prevent and discourage others from doing something for the community. Hopefully meeting with public and explaining them what we have planned for them would give them some comfort!