Amor Ekushey Book Fair

Papia Sarwar sings at the programme. Photo: Atl Aakash

February each year ushers in the eagerly awaited Ekushey Book Fair. Alongside, seminars and cultural programmes are held every day at the Bangla Academy premises.
On the third day of the month-long fair, a seminar on “Bangladesh-er Shomaj O Shongsritir Dhara” was held, presided over by Banglapedia's Chief Editor Professor Sirajul Islam. Professor Meghna Guhathakurta opened the talk, while Professor Rabiul Islam and poet Mujtaba Ahmed Morshed were the other discussants at the session.
A cultural programme featuring rendition of Tagore songs and recitation of several poems by noted elocutionists Mahidul Islam and Laila Afroz followed. Three seasoned artistes -- Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Papia Sarwar and Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury -- performed at the event, rendering four songs each. In his sonorous voice, Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury entertained the audience with the popular Tagore songs “Akash Bhora Surja Tara” and “Din-er Sheshey Ghum-er Desh-e”.
Papia Sarwar captivated Tagore aficionados with numbers “Jodi Tor Daak Shuney Keu Na Ashey” and “Gram Chhara Oi Ranga Matir Poth” while Fahim Hossain Chowdhury's repertoire included “Dokhin Hawa Jago Jago”, “Amar Ei Poth Chawatei Ananda”, “Aaire Mora Phashol Kati” and more.
Biplob Sharma on tabla, Almas Ali on violin, Suman Reza Khan on keyboard, Hasan Ali on flute and Nazmul Alam Jharu on percussion instrumentally accompanied the singers.