‘Blessed to have led a simple life’

"90 years of my life have passed and at this age, today, I am thinking about what I wanted to achieve in my life and how it actually went." The voice of eminent musicologist, Dr Sanjida Khatun echoed at the houseful auditorium of Chhayanaut today.

An event was organised at Chhayanaut cultural auditorium, celebrating the 90th birth anniversary of Dr Sanjida Khatun.

The Ekushey Padak winning singer is a lighthouse of the cultural arena, who does not merely make music, but also enlightens people with music. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri, in 2021, considered as the fourth highest civilian award in India.

Rabindra sangeet exponent Dr Sanjida Khatun, the president of Chhayanaut, was born on April 4, in 1933. Her endless contributions, in upholding the spirit of liberal thinking, is vividly reflected in her work and her lifelong philosophy.

"I was enchanted by my didi's voice, especially when she used to sing "Trishnaro Jol Esho Esho He", the melody and the rhythm of the song mesmerised me," reminisced the artiste, who began learning music from her elder sister's music teacher—eminent thumri singer, Mohammad Hossain—since she was a five-year-old child.

The programme was designed with many performances, which began with Shastriya sangeet, performed by Avijit Kundu. The event progressed with a group dance, presented by Monipuri troupe—led by distinguished dancer Sharmila Banerjee, her daughter Sudeshna Swayamprabha Tathoi, and the team.

Singers including the likes of Fahmida Khatun, Iffat Ara Dewan, Jahirul Ara Dewan, Zahirul Haque Khan, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Khairul Anam Shakil, Farhana Akter Shirley, Sumon Majumdar, Sharmin Shathi Islam Moyna, and Chandana Majumdar all performed at the event. The function also had a group dance performance from the Bharatanatyam troupe.

Dr Sarwar Ali, Vice President, Chhayanaut, presented a welcome speech, wishing the luminary artiste a happy and prosperous life ahead. Dr Sanjida Khatun is often called Minu, by her close ones. "We are lucky indeed, even at this age, our Minu apa is capable of persevering the spirit of liberal thinking, and undoubtedly she is a source of strength for the society to fight any restrictive ideologies," he shared.

At one point, sharing thoughts on her life, Sanjida Khatun expressed her concerns on how she worked on enlightening people through her music and established a school for children, Nalonda, which she believes is a movement to preserve the communal harmony. "I gradually learned music and sang on radio and later on television, and after a while I realised the lack of musicians in the country while making Chayanaut's Srotar Ashor."

She noted that, in order to get out of that situation, they started Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyayatan. By giving all of her efforts, she worked with the entire team in pursuit and promotion of music education. "The joy of this movement exceeded all the demands of life," she expressed. "I am blessed and content with this simple life."

The legendary singer concluded her speech by singing a few lines from her most favourite song, "Trishnaro Jol Esho Esho He".

Dr Sanjida Khatun was one of the founders of Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha during the Liberation War in 1971 and Chhayanaut in the early 1960s.