Bengali Band Excluded from Concert; Sparks Curiosity

Kolkata, Oct 14 (PTI) Bengali actor-director Anirban Bhattacharya's band, 'Hooligaanism', known for its satirical take on the political scene in West Bengal, has been excluded from an upcoming musical concert. The event, set to be organized by a private firm at the state-owned Gitanjali Stadium on November 1, will feature prominent bands like Lakkhichhara, Fossils, and Euphoria.

In a post on their Facebook page, the band shared the news, stating, "We just got the news that the name of Hooligaanism has been omitted from the Nov 1 'Unity Concert' for some unknown reasons. Don't be upset friends."

They reassured fans about the presence of a lineup of remarkable bands that will undoubtedly electrify the stage. "But anyway, Hooligaanism won't stop and can't be silenced," the post added.

Adding a touch of humor, the band urged followers not to "hunt for any political motive behind this development. We all know Bengal occupies the first spot in terms of creative liberty and has always been apolitical."

When contacted, Bhattacharya mentioned that his sentiments were already expressed in the post.

According to show organizers, the selection of bands was not influenced by any external pressure.

Previously, Hooligaanism stirred significant attention with a performance featuring political satire that named key figures from the BJP, TMC, and CPI(M). The performance gained widespread viral attention on social media.

An FIR was also filed against the band, alleging that their lyrics hurt religious sentiments.