Homage to a cultural lighthouse
As a tribute to cultural luminary and Tagore exponent Waheedul Haque, reputed cultural organization Kanthashilon has arranged a two-day (March 16-17) festival titled 'Waheedul Haq Memorial Festival-2018', marking the iconic figure's 85th birth anniversary. The festival is being held at the Shawkat Osman Memorial auditorium of Central Public Library, Shahbagh in the capital.
Apart from various cultural performances by the artistes of Kanthashilon, different cultural organisations and solo artistes presented poems, songs, dances, instrumental recitals, Brotochari dance, jarigaan, palagaan, puNthipaath and more.
The festival began yesterday morning with hoisting of National Flag together with the rendition of National Anthem and inaugural song by the artistes of Surotirtha.
Rameshwar led his troupe playing pulsating beats of dhak-dhol while noted dancer Tamanna Rahman and her troupe performed Manipuri dance.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the auditorium. Eminent cultural personality and journalist Kamal Lohani graced the occasion as chief guest while thespian Ataur Rahman, Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste veteran Ashraful Alam and noted poet Tarik Sujat attended the event as special guests. Principal of the organisation Mir Barkat delivered welcome address while Golam Sarwar, president of Kanthashilon, presided over the programme.
Kamal Lohani reminisced on fond memories of Waheedul Haq. He revisited many decisive moments of their lives circling the glorious movements of Pre-liberation Bangladesh.
“Waheedul Haq helped move varied progressive, cultural and political movements of Bangladesh forward. It should be our solemn tribute to him if we stand upright to strike back the ominous anti-liberation forces that are still active in Bangladesh,” said Kamal Lohani.
Earlier, a colourful procession marking the festival circled several streets of the Dhaka University campus.
The evening session of the inaugural day was held at the same venue, featuring reminiscence, discussion and various cultural performances by child artistes, noted elocutionists and organisations. The opening day's proceedings wrapped up with a Kanthashilan production “Kanka O Leela”, a pala from the legendary Maimansingha Geetika.
Starting from 10am, discussion, reminiscence and diverse cultural performances are taking place at the festival that concludes today.
Waheedul Haq (March 16, 1933-January 27, 2007) is one of the pioneers of the 20th century cultural movement of the Banglaees. A Tagore expert, musicologist and journalist, he founded a number of significant cultural organisations including Chhayanaut, Kanthashilon, Nalonda, Fulki and the Jatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad. In his journalistic career, he went through the Morning News, the Bangladesh Observer, the New Nation and, finally, The Daily Star.
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