The week that was

Marking International Mother Language Day, district administration arranged a discussion and cultural function at Manikganj Government High School playground on Friday.
Family members of Language Martyrs Rafiq Uddin Ahmad and
Language Movement veterans were accorded reception at the function. The district administration also arranged art, poetry recitation, handwriting and essay writing competitions for children. The winners of the competition were also given prizes at the function.
Zahid Maleque Swapan, state minister, Health and Family Welfare – attended as chief guest.
Later, artistes of Shishu Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and
Government Child Home performed at the function. Hundreds of people, including children, attended the event.
 

A child writes her first letters in Pabna. Photo: Star

Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu, Pabna

Some 50 kids, aged three to four years, got their first lesson of Bangla alphabet in a 'Hatekhori' (initiation to education) programme, held at Ekushey Book Fair in Pabna town hall premise on Friday afternoon.  
Like other years, Gonoshilpi Shongstha, Pabna, a leading cultural organisation of the district, arranged the special event for children below school-going age to mark the International Mother Language Day.
A discussion programme was held on the occasion chaired by president of Pabna Gonoshilpi Shangshtha Professor Shibojit Nag.
This was the fifth consecutive year of arranging this special event.
 

The candle-lit observance of February 21 in Narail. Photo: Star

Ponuel S Bose, Narail

With the theme “Ondhokar Theke Mukto Koruk Ekush-er Alo”, 100,000 candles were lit in the shape of a Shaheed Minar and Bangla letters on the evening of February 21 at the Wellington playground (Kuridove field) under Narail municipality area, in memory of the Language Movement martyrs.
A big crowd enjoyed the marvelous two- hour “Mongol Deep Projjolon” programme. Forty Fanush (paper lanterns) were also released in the sky.
Ekushey Udjapan Parishad organised the programme, sponsored by Square. Freedom fighter and eminent theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu inaugurated the ceremony.
Local artistes and members of Sammilitto Sangskritik jote rendered the national anthem at the programme. Later, the singers performed “Anondoloke Mongulaloke”, “O Amar Desher Mati” and other patriotic songs in chorus. Maasranga Television aired the programme live.

Artistes perform in a programme at Mymensingh. Photo: Star

Aminul Islam, Mymensingh

Several socio-cultural organisations and educational institutions organised discussions, cultural programmes and competitions marking February 21. Artistes of Mukul Niketan Sangskritik Academy performed at a cultural show organised by Mymensingh Press Club at its auditorium on Thursday evening.
Muslim Institute, Mymensingh organised a two-day programme including discussions, handwriting competition and poetry recitation by the students of school and college. Some 300 students from educational institutions in and outside the town took part in the competition.
Meanwhile, noted baul singer, Goshai Madan Mohan died at Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday. He was 74.
Leaders of Jalal Smriti Parishad, a forum of baul artistes and Shatyer Shondhan Lokoj-Sangskritik Goshthi, Udichi Shilpi Goshthi and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote in Mymensingh expressed their deep shock at the demise of Madan Mohan. Born in Mymensingh town in 1940, Madan's creativity was apparent at a tender age. Inspired by his father late Makhan Sadhu, a prominent kirtan singer in the Mymensingh region, Madan involved himself in the cultural arena and earned recognition. He composed hundreds of spiritual songs -- related to both Hinduism and Islam.
Madan would arrange programmes featuring spiritual songs on various religious occasions where hundreds of his disciples including baul artistes and people from different religious groups came together. Madan published two books titled “Shatyer Shondhaney-1” (Searching for Truth) and “Shatyer Shondhaney-2” containing more than 200 of his songs in his life-long career.
Madan also released several audio and video cassettes containing his spiritual songs.
 

Quamrul Islam Rubaiyat, Thakurgaon

A colourful cultural programme was held at Eco Pathshala and College campus in Thakurgaon Municipality area at the Eco College and Pathshala's annual ceremony recently.
Vice-Chancellor of Hazi Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Professor Md. Ruhul Amin attended the event as chief guest.
After the discussion, students staged a cultural programme that began with a chorus “Banglar Mati Banglar jol” followed by renditions of group and solo songs, dances and recitation.   Students of Eco Pathshala and College jointly staged Tagore's timeless play “Dakghor” at the college premises, directed by Md. Shahin and Sujan Khan.