Sanskriti Sangsad reunion rekindles the past

Bhaswar Bandopadhyay recites at the programme (top); eminent personalities and distinguished guests at the programme. Photo: Mumit M.

At a jovial reunion programme, former members of Dhaka University's years-old cultural organisation Sanskriti Sangsad gathered at the TSC auditorium of the university on July 25. The gathering included a number of eminent personalities, who have been members of the organisation at different times.
The evening featured a cultural programme and reminiscences of the past of the organisation. Manjur Ali Nontoo, former president of Sanskriti Sangsad, initiated the event. He was also general secretary of the 1972's committee. In the previous committee Abul Hasnat was president and noted journalist Mahfuz Anam, was secretary.
Sanskriti Sangsad, an organisation exclusively for the students of Dhaka University, was founded in 1951. It was the hub of cultural activities that helped shape the Bengali identity in a pre- independent Bangladesh.
Noted educationalist Dr. Khan Sarwar Murshid, the founder president of Sanskriti Sangsad, was present at the event as chief guest, while Dr. Mustafa Nurul Islam, founder general secretary was special guest. The event was presided over by the well-known historian Dr. Muntasir Mamun, who was also former president (1972) of the Sangsad.
Noted recitation artiste Bhaswar Bandopadhyay recited from Rabindranath Tagore's Ak Gaanye at the event. Internationally renowned professor of Bio-statistics, Dr. Atharul Islam, was next on the stage to share his memories. Noted singer Shaheen Samad presented two ghazals by Nazrul; Pohalo pohalo nishi and Karuno kano Arun Akhi.
Dr. Mustafa Nurul Islam, in his remarks, stated, " Fifty eight years ago, when Sanskriti Sangsad began its activities, it was difficult even to use the word sanskriti at that time. It's really hard for this generation to imagine what a tremendous challenge it was to establish Rabindranath and Nazrul as the doyen of our culture. Sanskriti Sangsad was a part of the cultural movement by the students against the establishment."
Iffat Ara Dewan, Shabnam Mushtari, Bulbul Mohalanabish and others also performed on the occasion. A 57-member committee was also set up to celebrate the 57th anniversary of Sanskriti Sangsad in September with Manjur Ali Nontoo as convenor and journalist Shah Alamgir as member secretary. The committee includes Dr. Muntasir Mamun, Shahriar Kabir, M Hamid, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Manzare Hasin Murad, Tanvir Mokammel, and sevearal others.