Singing of the moon with Nazrul

Noted dancer Munmun Ahmed and her troupe perform at the show. And Khairul Anam Shakil and Yasmin Mushtari render songs at the programme.Photo: Mumit M.

It was an exclusive occasion for Nazrul enthusiasts when most leading and contemporary Nazrul artistes gathered at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on March 4. The occasion was a musical soiree and dance performance featuring Nazrul songs based on the thematic representation of the moon.
The Department of Production, BSA, was the organiser of the programme.
"Over the years, different poets have depicted the moon in different ways. Kazi Nazrul Islam is definitely a frontrunner among them. Nazrul has used the simile of the moon 1,726 times in his writings," said Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das. Sudhin Das along with fellow Nazrul exponent Sohrab Hossain graced the programme as honourable guests.
With Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni as the chief guest, Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general of BSA, presided over the programme. Dr. Zakir Hossain, director of the production department delivered the welcome speech.
The cultural programme started with a moving solo performance of "Adhkhana cha(n)d hashichhey akashey" by Khairul Anam Shakil. Ferdaus Ara rendered "Aamay nohey go." Though accomplished singer Ferdaus' voice was not at its peak, the audience lauded her rendition with a round of applauses.
M. A. Mannan, Dr. Nashid Kamal and Shahin Samad rendered "Kotha cha(n)d aamar," "Aami cha(n)d nahi abhishap" and "Chaitali cha(n)di raatey" respectively. Salahuddin Ahmed rendered a ghazal "Jago saki haam daradi."
Yasmin Mushtari, Khalid Hossain and Rahat Ara Geeti rendered "Aabar bhalobhashar shadh jagey," "Ekadashir cha(n)d-re" and "Jobey tulshi tolaye" respectively.
Noted dancer Munmun Ahmed and her troupe performed a couple of solo and group dances at the programme with songs such as "Aamar bijon ghorey" and "Payela boley rinijhini.”
Md. Ataur Rahman and Sharmin Shathi Islam rendered a duet performance of "Ekhono otheni cha(n)d." Alpana Roy and Sanjay Kabiraj performed "Swapney dekhi ekti natun ghar."
Khilkhil Kazi rendered "Polash phuler gelash bhorey." Fatema-Tuz-Zohra sang the popular number "Tumi shundar tai cheye thaki."
Among others, Lina Taposhi Khan, Badrunnesa Dalia, Joseph Kamol Rodriguez, Rebecca Sultana, Yakub Ali Khan and Ismat Jahan Koli performed at the programme.
The curtain came down with the performance of "Mor priya hobey esho rani" by Sujit Mustafa.