Jatiyo Nazrul Sammelan begins in Nilphamari

The three-day long Jatiyo Nazrul Sammelan was inaugurated at the local Shilpakala academy in the northern district town of Nilphamari on April 19 amid enthusiasm, through recitation of the iconic verse “Bolo Bir, Bolo Unnoto Momo Shir' from the Rebel poet's “Bidrohi”.

Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam amd also member of Kazi Nazrul Islam trustee board, inaugurated the festival by flying colourful balloons and releasing white pigeons in sky at 10am on Thursday, as the audience burst into applause.

Deputy Commissioner of Nilphamari Khaled Rahim presided over by inaugural ceremony, which was attended by local educationists and public representatives.

In her inaugural speech, Khilkhil Kazi paid deep homage to father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“Bangabandhu brought the Rebel poet along with family to Bangladesh in 1972 with much affection and care, and rendered the highest honour by declaring him National Poet,” she said.

“Nazrul teaches us to stand upright with dignity, overcoming odds and evil,” she affirmed.

Khilkhil Kazi continued saying “At the time of Liberation War, Nazrul's songs and poems inspired freedom fighters as well as the whole nation, leading to creation of independent Bangladesh.”

On the occasion, the first ever in the district, the festival venue was nicely decorated and a display board was set up at the entrance manifesting photographs of Nazrul at different stages of life.

Earliar, executive director of Nazrul Institute Dhaka, Md Abdur Razzak Bhuiyan in his welcome speech said, “In terms of correctly practicing Nazrul's songs and poem, there are problems in tunes, pronunciations  or words and those would be discussed here.”

After the inauguration and formal discussion, the houseful audience was entertained with performances by renowned Nazrul singer Fatema Tuz Zohra, Nashid Kamal, Jannatul Islam Kabir while artists of Nazrul Institute Dhaka in collaboration with local artistes rendered chorus songs.

Secretary of Kabi Nazrul Institute Dhaka and project director Md Abdur Rahim thanked all for making the festival successful.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Rahim in his speech urged all to spread the spirit of Nazrul's literature far and wide.

In the afternoon, a discussion session was held on 'Communal Harmony and Nazrul, where poet Habibullah Siraji was the main speaker. In the evening, a cultural function followed.