Remembering the guru
(Top) Professor Sanat Kumar Saha delivering the memorial speech. (Bottom Left)A group rendition by artistes of Chhayanat. (Bottom Right) Chandana Majumder renders a Lalon song at programme.
On the 2nd death anniversary of cultural personality and organiser Waheedul Haque, Chhayanat arranged a memorial programme at its main auditorium on January 27. Apart from Chhayanat, different cultural organisations and well-wishers paid homage to the iconic figure in Bangladeshi cultural arena through rendition of songs and recitation.
The programme started with a group rendition of the Nazrul song “Jago amrito piashi”. This was followed by a welcome speech given by noted Nazrul artiste and general secretary of Chhayanat, Kahirul Anam Shakil.
Renowned economist Professor Sanat Kumar Saha, who is also a notable essayist, a music exponent and a scholar, gave a memorial speech on Haque at the programme. The speech titled “Manusher Dharma: Waheedul Haque” touched on Rabindranath Tagore's hypothetical assessment on the true nature of humans.
Going over Haque's contribution to our collective cultural movement, Professor Saha referred to him as “the front-runner” and “a true follower of Tagore”.
“Haque led the 1960's cultural movement against the then Pakstani government. When an attempt to ban Tagore songs was initiated, Haque played a key role in resisting it,” said Professor Saha.
According to the speech, Haque's organisational capacity brought many Bengali intellectuals together to fight the ongoing cultural aggression. Haque realised the importance of Tagore in stimulating Bengali nationalism to survive in its secular form.
Chhayanat President, Dr. Sanjida Khatun introduced Professor Saha to the audience, while Khairul Anam Shakil conferred on him an 'uttario'.
After the memorial speech Chhayanat artistes rendered songs. Folk singer Chandana Majumder rendered a Lalon song “Aar katodin jani”. Khairul Anam Shakil sang “Meghey meghey andho”. Noted Tagore singer Mita Haque performed “Shudhu tomar bani noy go”.
Elora Ahmed Shukla, Partho Tanvir Noved and Laisa Ahmed Lisa rendered “E parobashey robey ke”, “Pagol jey tui” and "Kichhui to holo na” respectively.
Among others, ATM Jahangir, Tanzina Parvin Toma, Azizur Rahman Tuhin and Anindya Rahman performed at the programme.
Throughout the programme, excerpts from readings by Waheedul Haque were played. The recitations were titled “Paye Cholar Path 1-3” and “Bhul Shargo 1-4”.
Chhayanat's memorial programme wrapped up with a group rendition of “Gabhir rajani namilo hridoye”.
After performances by Chhayanat artistes, members of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parisad, Kanthoshilan, Anandadhoni, Nalanda, Bangladesh Bratochari Samiti and Saroj Sangskriti Britto performed.
Earlier in the morning, Chhayanat arranged an hour-long musical programme at its premises to mark Haque's death anniversary. At the programme, artistes of Chhayanat performed several group renditions including “Surer guru”, “Morey daki loye jao”, “Tumi jey shurer agun” and “Antor mamo bikashita karo”.
Waheedul Haque passed away on January 27, 2007.
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