Singing of Nazrul in music and dance

Reliving Nazrul: Hindol's performance in chorus(top); Sadya Afreen Mallick (above left) in her element; Humayun Kabir in enthralling mood.

The two-day long Sufia Kamal Smarok Nazrul Utsab 1417 opened at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan on June 18. Nazrul researcher Asadul Haque inaugurated the festival. Performances of Nazrul Sangeet by the artistes of Chhayanaut were the highlight of the first session of the festival.
The second session of first day's event started with group performances by younger students of Chhayanaut. They rendered “O Bhai Khati Shonar Cheye Khati” and “Chal Chal Chal” -- patriotic and inspirational songs of Nazrul.
A number of Chhayanaut artistes including teachers, students and alumni along with several guest artistes performed solos on the occasion.
Sanjoy Kabiraj rendered a melancholic number “Bodhu Tomar Amar Ei Jey Biraho” while Shamsunnahar Chowdhury sang a romantic song “Akashey Aaj Chhoriye Dilam Priyo.”
Seasoned artiste Sujit Mustafa performed “Tomarei Ami Chahiachhi Priyo Shatorupey Shatobar.” A melodious number, “Abar Bhalobashar Shadh Jagey,” was rendered by Chhayanaut teacher Priyanka Gope.
Eminent Nazrul artiste Sadya Afreen Mallick recalled her experiences as a student of the institution and presented the song which had marked her debut at Chhayanaut -- an Islamic composition “Khatun-e Jannat Fatema Janani.”
Humayun Kabir, Iffat Tasnim Haq and Fahmida Rahman of Chittagong were among the guest artistes who performed “Amar Kon Kuley Aaj Bhirlo Tori,” “Srijon O Chhandey Anandey,” and “Pubali Paboney Bashi Bajey” respectively at the event.
Mahmudul Hasan, Tanvir Ahmed, Alauddin Ahmed, Swarna Nag, Afsana Runa were among the artistes of the oranisation to render solos while artistes of Hindol performed two choruses at the event.
Iqbal Ahmed recited a Nazrul poem on the occasion, inviting rounds of applause from the audience.
Noted Nazrul Sangeet artistes Shahin Samad, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ferdaus Ara, Kalpana Anam, Sumon Chowdhury, Nasima Shaheen, Ismat Ara Koli also performed solos at the programme.
Marking Poet Sufia Kamal's 99th birth anniversary on June 20, Professor Khandakar Sirajul Haque of Rajshahi University delivered a Sufia Kamal Smarok (memorial) speech at the festival. Many references and excerpts from Nazrul, Rabindranath and others dominated Sirajul Islam's speech.
“National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam affectionately admired Sufia Kamal's poetic talents. Nazrul wrote the preface to the first poetry (“Shanjher Maya”) of Sufia Kamal in 1938 while the latter wrote a poem on Nazrul, titled “Bish-er Bashir Kobi” for her collection of poetry, “Udatto Prithibi,” that was published in 1964. The poem goes 'Tomarey Bhulini, Bhulibena Keho, Tomar Janmo Tithi',” said the speaker.
Prior to the speech, General Secretary of Chhayanaut Khairul Anam Shakil welcomed the speaker with bouquet and uttario.
Other attractions of the event were two group dances. Choreographed by Belayet Hossain and Samina Hossain Prema, Salma Munni of Jago Art Centre, Prema and Maliha of Bhabna performed the dances to the songs “Brojogopi Kheley Hori” and “Shondhya Godhuli Logoney” respectively on the occasion.
The soiree wrapped up with the choral rendition of “Shongho Sharon Tirtho Jatri Pothey” by the artistes of Chhayanaut.
BRAC Bank sponsored the festival.