Cultural activist Satyen Sen remembered

Dancers of Nrityam perform with a Satyen Sen song, Aaji Shapto Sagor Hotey. Photo: Mumit M.

Satyen Sen Shilpi Songstha (SSSS) observed the 29th death anniversary of the noted litterateur, journalist and socio-cultural activist Satyen Sen (1907-1981) at the Central Shaheed Minar premises on January 4. The two-day long event, which included discussion and cultural programmes, ended yesterday.
Born in Shonarong village of Munshiganj district, Satyen Sen was directly involved in the anti-Raj movement. He believed in the Marxist ideology and worked with farmers and labourers. A significant part of his life was spent behind bars, and it was in prison where his literary prowess first made a breakthrough. "Bhorer Bihongi" (1959), "Abhishapta Nagari" (1969), "Bidrohi Koiborto" (1970), "Ma" (1970) and "Uttaran" (1970), among others, are some of his acclaimed novels. Sen was the founder of Udichi, a leading cultural organisation that has been active against social injustice and fanaticism. Sen received several awards including the Adamji Sahitya Purashkar (1967), Bangla Academy Literary Award (1970), and a posthumous Ekushey Padak (1986).
The discussion was held on January 4, presided over by Dr. Hayat Mamud. General Secretary of Shammilito Sanskritik Jote Golam Kuddus; Secretary General of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Jhuna Chowdhury; General Secretary of Patho Natok Parishad Mizanur Rahman; General Secretary of Gano Sangeet Shilpi Shamonnoy Parishad Mahbubul Haidar Mohan; one of the founders of Udichi Kamrul Hasan Khan, General Secretary of SSSS Manzarul Islam Chowdhury and others participated in the discussion.
At the cultural programme on the first day, artistes of SSSS performed two choruses "Maro Jawan Haiyo" and "Din-ei Jodi Hosh Rey Kana", written by Satyen Sen. A group recitation, tilted "Chhappanno Hajar Borgomile" -- originally written by Professor Humayun Azad -- was staged by Kishor Theatre. Other performances included a dance with a Satyen Sen song, "Aaji Shapto Sagor Hotey" by Nrityam, directed by Tamanna Rahman; a group rendition by Bangabandhu Sanskritik Jote; a group recitation titled "Megh Jomechhey Akash Jurey" by Swarokalpon; solo renditions by Mafia Rahman Mithi, Mahzebin Rahman Shawli, Nilufar Rahman Chinu, Arif Rahamn, Altaf Hossain, Shahana Parvin Rumi and Shuma Roy, and a street play titled "Barnochor", written and directed by Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Morshed Hossain respectively.
People from all walks of life attended the programme.