Folklore researcher, artiste Abdur Rashid Miah remembered

M. Hamid (C) with the book at the programme.Photo: STAR

Professor Abdur Rashid Miah, a noted folk artiste and folklore researcher, was remembered through a programme held at the district Shilpakala Academy Auditorium on Saturday evening. Abdur Rashid Miah Smriti Sangsad organised the programme marking the third death anniversary of the folk exponent.
The programme included a discussion, musical soiree and reception accorded to noted personalities.
Abdur Rashid Miah, a Professor at the Bengali Department of Alamgir Mansur Memorial College in the town, was also the deputy director of Birishiri Cultural Academy in Netrokona, and a special grade music director of BTV.
Artistes of different local cultural groups performed at the event. The artistes danced to songs written and tuned by Abdur Rashid.
The singers were accompanied by AKM Shabuddin Khan on flute, Fazlul Haque Master on dotara, Dhanesh Chandra Saha on violin, Shantanu Saha on tabla and Rajkumar Wrishi on dhol.
Director of BTV, M. Hamid, was the chief guest.
Convener of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote's Mymensingh unit, Professor Amir Ahmed Chowdhury Ratan; secretary of Bahurupi Natya Sangstha, Shahadat Hossain Khan; journalist and drama director Shahiduzzaman Mohan; RKM Nazim-ud-Daula and Md. Hafizur Rahman spoke at the discussion.
ABM Amjad Hossain, president of Abdur Rashid Miah Smriti Sangsad, presided over the meeting. The organisation's secretary Ibrahim Khalil delivered the welcoming speech.
The speakers were of the view that Abdur Rashid Miah was well-known as a folk artiste and researcher in Mymensingh region and the country as well. Throughout his life, Abdur Rashid was dedicated to preserving and generating public interest in folklore and folk music.
To show proper respect to this accomplished artiste, many of his unpublished writings should be published and a documentary on his life and works should be made, they also emphasised.
Terming Mymensingh region as a treasure-trove of folklore, the speakers said that the long-standing demand of establishing a folklore academy here should be fulfilled.
Earlier, the chief guest unveiled the cover of a book titled “Abdur Rashid Smarak Grantha”, dedicated to the folk exponent's memories.
Two eminent personalities -- Narayan Basak, a make-up artiste, and Sirajul Haque Manto, a familiar drama and film artiste -- were also accorded reception at the programme. A video on life and works of Abdur Rashid Miah was also screened at the programme.