HOMAGE TO THE NATIONAL POET

Marking the 40th death anniversary of our National Poet, Nazrul Institute organised a two-day (August 26-27) programme.

On August 27, the auditorium of the national museum was abuzz and brimming with noted Nazrul exponents as well as upcoming artistes, and other guests. The ideal environment was the location commemorating the 40th death anniversary of the National Poet. Nazrul Institute has always played a pivotal role in protecting the literary legacy of the National Poet and arranges events every year on the Rebel Poet's birth and death anniversaries to pay tribute to his legacy.

The programme featured a discussion, conferring Nazrul Padak on two personalities and a cultural event, at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum (BNM).  

Finance Minister AMA Muhit was present as chief guest while Cultural Affairs Secretary Begum Akhtari Momtaz and managing director of IFIC Bank Shah Alam Sarwar were present as special guests. Granddaughter of the poet Khilkhil Kazi, Nazrul researchers -- Professor Abdul Qayum and Sajed Kamal -- attended the event as guests of honour. Ekram Ahmed, executive director of Nazrul Institute, and Faizul Latif Chowdhury, DG of BNM, delivered the welcome addresses while Rezauddin Stalin hosted the event. Eminent Nazrul exponent and chairman of Nazrul Institute Trusty Board Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam presided over the programme.       

“The influence of Nazrul in our society is widely established. This was possible through Bangabandhu's scrupulous decision to bring the poet to the country and bestow him the status of National Poet of Bangladesh,” said AMA Muhit.

“Nazrul is important in our time to face the heinous paws of fundamentalism prevailing all over the world,” said Khilkhil Kazi.

“Nazrul is the National Poet of Bangladesh. No one has right to distort his creations. We'll even go to the court if someone tries to set his songs to tune as no one has legal right to do that. Nazrul Institute receives the lowest budget as an affiliated body of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs; yet we have accomplished many important tasks as we have brought out a compilation of 500 songs with original tunes in a CD. Now Nazrul singers have to perform the songs following the original tunes,” said Rafiqul Islam.

The prestigious Nazrul Award 2015 was accorded to eminent Nazrul Sangeet exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick and Professor Abu Hena Abdul Awal. The recipients were conferred Taka 1 lakh, a crest and certificate each as awards.

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Editor, Arts & Entertainment at The Daily Star, was bestowed with the award in performing arts in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Nazrul Sangeet over the past five decades.

Professor Abu Hena Abdul Awal has been an active researcher of Kazi Nazrul Islam's life and works. He has worked extensively and published numerous research papers on the poet's multifaceted life.

A cultural programme followed where prominent and promising Nazrul Sangeet artistes and elocutionists performed inspirational chorus and solo songs and poems of the Rebel Poet.

A discussion and CD launching ceremony were held at the auditorium of Nazrul Institute, Dhanmondi on August 26. Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh attended the event as chief guest. Sadya Afreen Mallick and Khilkhil Kazi were present as discussants while Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam presided over the programme.