“Love your language like you love your mother” – Sharmin Lucky

Sharmin Lucky is a renowned television presenter, elocutionist and voiceover artiste. She has been hosting The Daily Star's Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards for the past three years. Recently, in a candid conversation with The Daily Star, she talked about the awards programme and her upcoming ventures.

"Recitation has always been my passion," says the artiste. "My career began through E Shomoy, a recital organisation, in 1988." Former Cultural Minister and thespian Asaduzzaman Noor is the president of this organisation, which is set to make a comeback as Taire Naire Na. Lucky also worked as a voiceover artiste at the time. Later, she received many offers for modelling and TV shows. "Hosting the culinary show, Siddiqa Kabir's Recipe, was the turning point of my career," shares Lucky. The show, aired for a staggering nine years, was a massive hit, and turned Lucky into a household name.

Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards is organised by The Daily Star, in association with IPDC Finance Limited. The programme honours and celebrates the unsung women change makers of the country. "I still remember the moment when I was called to host the programme's first instalment. However, I was abroad, so I could not host that one. I always look forward to this programme," says Lucky. "These women restore my faith in humanity." This year is even more special to the artiste, as her organisation Ponchokonnya, a female-led repertory initiative, will kick off the show with a heartfelt recitation performance. "Ponchokonnya provides platforms for women who are passionate about elocution," she adds.

Lucky is currently busy with Taire Naire Na, the recital organisation, conceived under the banner of E Shomoy. "Our organisation is going to complete 25 years this April. Prominent elocutionist Prodip Ghosh has promised to join us, celebrating our silver jubilee," she says. "I would like to say to all of my fans and well wishers, love your language like you love your mother. Bangla is very melodic and powerful." Lucky also wants to work on improving the medium of elocution overall, as it plays a great role in language-learning. 

Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards will take place today at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.