Nazrul Award '07

(Top)from left to right, Md. Sharful Alam, Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Ismat Ara, Professor Mohammad Abdul Quayum, Ershad Hossain ndc and Professor Rafiqul Islam seen at the award giving ceremony, Artistes of Nazrul Institute perform at the programme(Bottom). Photo: Mumit M.

One of the main tasks of Nazrul Institute is to honour those, who have dedicated themselves towards researching, preserving or promoting the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam. Since 1985, Nazrul Institute has been honouring dedicated Nazrul artistes and researchers. In this regard, the award giving ceremony for the year 2007 took place at the Main Auditorium, National Museum on June 2. Nazrul researcher Professor Mohammad Abdul Quayum and veteran Nazrul singer Ismat Ara were awarded for their immense contribution.
Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Rasheda K. Chowdhury, handed a crest, a certificate and a cheque for Tk 50,000 to each of the artistes. Rasheda K. Chowdhury was the chief guest at the programme. In her speech she said, "At present, in an era of globalisation, we are loosing our cultural identity. If we cannot uphold our culture properly for the successive generations, it would be an immense loss."
Professor Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Nazrul Institute Trustee Board, presided over the programme. According to Professor Rafiqul Islam, Nazrul Institute will organise several workshops on Nazrul Sangeet this year, where seasoned artistes will guide upcoming Nazrul singers.
Md. Sharful Alam, secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs was the special guest at the programme. Ershad Hossain ndc, executive director of Nazrul Institute gave the welcome speech. Professor Mohammad Abdul Quayum and Ismat Ara expressed their feelings as well.
According to Professor Quayum, he is the first person who discovered that Nazrul's Sanchita was published twice in its launching year. Professor Quayum has published 25 research papers including, Nana Proshongey Nazrul (2002) and Nazrul Sangbordhona O Onnanya Proshongo (2008) so far. Professor Quayum was one of the trustees of Nazrul Institute. He received a Bangla Academy Award in 1990.
Singer Ismat Ara dedicated herself as a Nazrul singer since 1950s. She is one of the artistes, who worked to promote Nazrul Sangeet in the '50s and '60s. Ismat Ara received Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award in 2001.
A cultural programme was held after the award giving ceremony. Artistes of Nazrul Institute opened with a group rendition of Esho pahari jhorna. Noted artistes Yasmin Mustari, Ferdaus Ara, Khalid Hossain and Yakub Ali Khan rendered Porodeshi bodhua, Kuhu kuhu koelia, Rimjhim rimjhim jhim and Nilambari shari pori respectively.
Recitor Mahidul Islam recited Nazrul's poem Bidrohi and Seema Islam recited excerpts from Rakkhushi.