Remembering A Cultural Icon

Sudeshna Swayamprabha dances to the song “Bipul Tarongo Rey”. Photo Courtesy: Chhayanaut

A memorial programme marking the 5th death anniversary of eminent cultural personality and journalist Waheedul Hauqe was held at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut Shangskriti Bhaban in Dhaka on December 27.
The event kicked off with a chorus by artistes of Saroj Shangskriti-Britto. Next came a Bratachari dance presentation by Bangladesh Bratachari Samity.
Eminent educationist Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui delivered the 'Waheedul Haque Memorial Speech' on the occasion, while vice president of Chhayanaut, Dr. Sarwar Ali, delivered the welcome address.
“Throughout his life Waheedul Haque tried to instil a combined sense of nationalism, aestheticism and humanity. Waheedul Haque roamed around Bangladesh in search of musical talents and groomed them to strengthen our traditional musical heritage,” said Zillur Rahman Siddiqui.
“He was also a pioneer who popularised the celebration of Bengali New Year in Dhaka,” he added
A cultural programme, titled “Porosh Pathor” (touchstone), held as part of the event featured solo and choral renditions, recitation and dance. Artistes of Anandadhoni, Kanthosheelan, Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and Chhayanaut performed at the event.
A group rendition of “Ashim Kalo Sagorey Bhuban Bheshey Cholechhey” was the first offering, while Chhayanaut artiste Sudeshna Swayamprabha beautifully danced to the Tagore song “Bipul Tarongo Rey”.
A Ramnidhi Gupta song, “Tomari Tulona Tumi Pran” was next. Seasoned artiste Iffat Ara Dewan breathed life into the baitalik number. Almas Ali accompanied her on the violin.
Noted Tagore artistes Mita Haque, Laisa Ahmed Lisa and Bulbul Islam rendered “Ki Paini Tar Hishab Milatey Mon Mor Nohe Raaji”, “Amar Shokol Kanta Dhonyo Kore Phutbe Phool Phutbe” and “Ore Bhiru Tomar Haat-e Nai Bhuboner Bhar” respectively.
Audity Mohsin performed a Rajanikant number, “Jagao Pothikey O Shey Ghum-e Ocheton”, while Suman Chowdhury presented a Nazrul Sangeet “Bhai-er Dorey Bhai Kendey Jaye”. Chandana Majumdar sang a Madan Baul song, “Haye Go Tomar Poth Dhaikachhey Mondir-e Masjid-e” at the event.
Sharmin Sathi Islam, Nasima Shaheen, Elora Ahmed Shukla, Tania Mannan, Nilotpal Sadhyo, Partha Sarathi Sikdar also performed solo at the programme.
Anandadhwani artistes performed a chorus, “Manush Haw”, of Gurusaday Dutta. They went on to perform a Tagore song, “Shey Je Bahir Holo Ami Jani”. Tamanna Rahman danced to the number. The programme wrapped up with a rendition of “Alo Je Jaye Rey Dekha Oi Alo”, another Tagore song.
Enamul Haque Omar and Subir Ghosh on tabla, Almas Ali on violin, Iftekhar Hossein Sohel on keyboard and Prodip Kumar Roy on mondira accompanied the singers.
Zahirul Haque Khan recited a Syed Shamsul Haq poem “Proyan 1413” and Shireen Islam recited Tagore's “Baul”. Golam Sarwar presented an excerpt from “Rajputra” while Enayet Kajal read out selected parts from “Kon Alotey Pran-er Prodip” -- both written by Waheedul Haque. Meer Barkat recited a selected portion of “Porosh Pathor” written by Mostafizur Rahman.
Haque was born on March 16, 1933 at Bhawal Mohonhariya village in Keraniganj, Dhaka. He was one of the key organisers of the Tagore birth centennial celebration in 1961. The same year he founded Chhayanaut, now one of the leading cultural organisations in Bangladesh. He was also a founder member of other renowned cultural organisations, including Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, Kanthosheelan and Anandadhoni.
Haque passed away on January 27, 2007.