Nazrul Institute celebrates the Rebel Poet

Shaheen Samad receives her crest from Promod Mankin.

To celebrate the birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Nazrul Institute arranged a discussion followed by a cultural programme at the main auditorium of National Museum, Shahbagh on May 31.
The Institute also honoured two personalities with Nazrul Puroshkar 2009. Professor Razia Sultana and Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad were the honourees.
The discussion was presided over by Professor Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Nazrul Institute Trusty Board. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Advocate Promod Mankin was the chief guest at the event. Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Hedayetullah Al Mamun was the special guest. Professor Emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury was the main speaker at the discussion. Litterateur and executive director of Nazrul Institute, Rashid Haider and Nazrul's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi also spoke on the occasion.
Terming Nazrul as a “poet who crossed all boundaries,” Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury recited an excerpt from Nazrul's “Kuli Majur”: “Kuli boley babushab tarey theley dilo nichey pheley … emni koria ki jogot juria maar khabey durbol?” Quoting from Nazrul's Nabojug, Professor Chowdhury pronounced, “I belong to neither league nor congress. Long live Bengal! Long live Bangalee!”
Advocate Promode Mankin handed over a cheque for Taka 50,000, a crest and a certificate to Professor Razia Sultana and singer Shaheen Samad each, as part of the Nazrul Puroshkar 2009. The award is conferred every year for research work on Nazrul and promotion of Nazrul Sangeet. Nazrul Institute has so far conferred the award on 22 personalities since 1985.
The chief guest also handed certificates among the students of the institute for completing their courses on Nazrul Sangeet and recitation.
Later, students of the institute performed two group renditions, “Mora Jhonjhar Moto Uddom” and “Joy Hok Joy Hok.” A group recitation of “Sristi Shukher Ullashey” followed.
Kabirul Islam Ratan and his troupe staged a spirited dance performance to Nazrul's poem “Kamal Pasha.” Ratan choreographed the composition. Reciter Mahidul Islam delivered a majestic recitation of “Bidrohi.”
Veteran Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das and Nilima Das performed a duet of dhrupad genre, “Shankor O Angolina Jogomaya.” Prior to the rendition, Sudhin Das briefly spoke on Nazrul Sangeet:
“The forte of Nazrul Sangeet is diversity. We find dhrupad, dhamar, kheyal, tappa, thumri and so much more in the realm of Nazrul Sangeet. But we hear the same 100 songs of Nazrul on both Betar (radio) and TV channels. Also, we don't always follow the authentic notations. I refuse to recognise these inaccurate renditions as Nazrul Sangeet.”
Artistes Khalid Hossain, Sujit Mostafa, Fatema-Tuz-Zohra, Yasmin Mushtari, Shaheed Kabir Polash, Khilkhil Kazi, Nashid Kamal and others presented solo renditions on the occasion.