Mayor's award to renowned singer, music composer and director

The mayor of Luton, Cllr Javed Hussain arranged an award presentation after being impressed by a singer when he visited the town.

In July this year, the mayor attended a musical show by Soumyen Adhikari of Kolkata, India, at the World Music Day celebration in Luton.

And he was so overwhelmed by the high-quality singing performance that he decided to present him an award.

There wasn't time to arrange it in the summer - but the opportunity came when Mr Adhikari returned to the UK for a short visit, and the award was presented at Luton Town Hall on October 14. 

 Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL (retd), chair of many organisations including UNA Luton Branch and Purbachal-the eastern sky, and Dr David Cheesman, the Secretary of UNA Luton Branch were present among others.

It was a very short-notice arrangement, but was a "short and sweet" event. A bunch of Purbachal-the eastern sky members and some personal friends attended the event.

Mr Adhikari is a renowned singer, composer and music director in Kolkata. He has visited UK 35 times so far and with him he brought Hemanta Mukharjee (Hemant Kumar) songs from 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. He also visits other parts of the world such as France, Belgium, and the United States of America.