Homage to Kabiguru
How the world views Tagore: Discussion at Bangla Academy
The Daily Star
Bangla Academy arranged a discussion and musical soiree on the 66th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at its seminar room on August 6.
Professor Abdus Selim of North South University presented an essay, titled "Tagore in English" at the programme. Mosud Mannan, director general of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Professor Shafi Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University took part in the discussion. The programme was presided over by Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam.
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In his speech Dr. Syed Md. Shahed, director general of Bangla Academy, talked about previous programmes on Tagore arranged by the Academy. From 1962, Bangla Academy has maintained a tradition of observing the birth and death anniversaries of Tagore, except in 1970 when the then Pakistani government barred it.
Renowned personalities including Dr. Md. Shahidullah, poets Sufia Kamal and Shamsur Rahman had participated in these programmes.
In his essay, Professor Abdus Selim said that the western writers view Tagore as an obscure and mystic poet of the east. Despite a warm reception, the western interest in Tagore eventually waned.
Professor Selim discussed views of several noted writers and critics of the west on Tagore. Translations of Tagore's works in German, Russian, Chinese and English were also discussed.
Professor Shafi Ahmed expressed his doubt on whether it is possible to translate Tagore effectively. The western views were based on the translations. He also mentioned that Tagore's political views, specifically his famous "Oxford Speech" dwindled his popularity among the European literary circuit. He strongly criticised the "occidental" views of the west in this regard.
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Mosud Mannan shared his experience in different countries where he noticed the enthusiastic studies of Tagore's work.
After the discussion, Lili islam, Sushmita Ahmed and Neelotpol Sadhyo rendered Tagore songs.
Musical programme by Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha
To observe Rabindranath Tagore's 66th death anniversary, Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS) arranged a two daylong programme titled "Nishidin Alokshikha Joluk Gaaney" at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Public Library. On the first day (August 6) of the programme, noted and upcoming singers from the organisation rendered popular Tagore songs.
Tagore exponent and president of BRSSS, Kalim Sharafi inaugurated the programme. The event started off with a group rendition of Aguner parashmoni chhowao praney. Around 100 singers of the organisation performed in the chorus. Another group rendition Ashechhiley tobu asho nai followed.
Sharmila Chakrabarti and Satya Chakrabarti rendered Tomar shurer dhara and Aamar sakal dukher pradeep respectively. Selina Huda sang Aamar shakal rosher dhar and Makhon Hawlader rendered Aaj kichhutei jaye na.
Elham Nusrat Nandita, Fahima Samad, Shafiqur Rahman and Moushumi Tarafdar rendered Prothom aadi tobo shakti, Aaj akasher moner kotha, Tomar dekha pabo boley and Jodi e amar hridoy.
Songs of rain from Tagore at Chhayanat's monthly musical soiree
The Daily Star
Chhayanat's regular musical programme, "Shrotar Asar", this time brought some rain songs of Kabiguru Rabinranath Tagore to celebrate the rainy season. The programme titled "Rabindranather Barshar Gaan" featured performances by Fahmida Khatun, Apala Farhat Nobed, Mrittika Sahita, A.T. M Jahangir and Satyam Kumar Debnath.
An artiste renders a Tagore song
Satyam Kumar Debnath, assistant teacher of Tagore songs at Chhayanat, opened the programme by the song "Jhoro jhoro jhoriche baridhara". He also prformrd two other song titled " Kotha je udhao hoilo" and "Gohono ghono chhailo"
Mrittika Sahita, a proffesor of history, Dhaka University and also an assistant teacher of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanat, then came up with the songs titled " Amare jodi Jagale", "Aji jhorer rate tomar avisar"and " Badal baul bajai".
A.T. M Jahangir entertained the audience with his five successive songs among which there were some popular songs like, "Badal diner proyhomo kadamo phul", "Barshono mandrito andhakare", "Timir abagunthane" and more.He is the teacher of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanat and stood first in the final competition of the National Rabindrasangeet Conference Association in 1989.
Apala Farhat Nobed was a student of the first batch of Chayanat Sangeetbidyatan after the Liberation of Bangladesh. She had worked as a teacher of Chyanat for 25 years. She rendered five songs including "Ami shraban akashe", "Aji jhorojhoro mukhoro badalodine" and more.
Artist Fahmida Khatun, whose songs inspired poet Shamshur Rahman to write a poem on her, was the last singer of the evening. She entered into her music career as a radioartist by taking part in "Betar Kothika" at the 100th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore in 1961. She rendered songs including "Ami tokhono chhilem mogon", "Anek durer mita", Megher pore megh jomechhe" and more.
Chhayanot's Monthly Shrotar Asar was a popular musical soiree of the sixties. After many years the programme resumed at Chhayanat's own building. This is the second programme of Shrotar Asar. The first programme was held on 20 June 2007.the programme holds on every third Thursday of an English month.
National Music and Dance Centre opens
the Daily Star
The much-awaited National Music and Dance Centre, the new auditorium of Department of Music and Dance, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), was opened on June 21. This is the only auditorium that has been built exclusively for music and dance. Ayub Quadri, advisor to the Ministries of Education, Primary and Mass Education and Cultural Affairs, was present at the inauguration.
The auditorium with three hundred and thirty seats that provides modern sound and light equipments for dance and music recitals. Though the small stage of the auditorium is ideal for musical programmes, it may not be spacious enough for events on a grand scale, like group dances. Work on the auditorium did not seem to be finished properly; several chairs were found broken on the opening day.
Noticing the problems, Director General of the academy, Quamrul Hassan, ndc, said, "There may be some flaws with the newly built National Music and Dance Centre, but we have to take effective measures to promote the dance and music of our country overcoming the limitations."
Leading artistes of the country performed at the inauguration. The event began with a group dance titled Shorohritu, directed by Deepa Khandokar. Accompanied with music by Ali Asgar Khokon, the composition featured the distinct changes in nature in Bangladesh throughout the six seasons. Space constraint of the stage was evident during the group dance.
Papiya Sarwar's rendition of Tarore song Oi maloti lata doley followed. Ferdaus Ara sang a Nazrul song Prothomo prodip jalo.
After the songs, staff artistes of BSA presented an acoustic of folk music. Artistes of Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) presented a group dance titled Shur Jhankar, directed by Kabirul Islam Ratan. Artistes of Nrittam Dance Teaching Centre performed a Manipuri dance and Mridanga Sanskritik Shongothan staged a "tribal dance".
The dance recital was followed by seasoned singer Syed Abdul Hadi's rendition of the patriotic song Shurjodoye tumi shurjasteo tumi. Abu Bakar Siddiqui sang the popular folk song Tui jodi amar hoiti re.
Other attractions of the evening were Lalon song Shatya bol shotpothey chol rendered by Lalon exponent Farida Parvin, adhunik song Tumi amar prothom shokal by Shakila Zafar and baul song Loke bole amar ghorey naki by Arif Dewan and his troupe.
The evening wrapped up with a group dance titled Gramyo Mela. Kabirul Islam Ratan directed the dance composition.
Nazrul a guide to establishing just society says chief adviser
Unb, Dhaka
May 26, 2007
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said national poet Kazi Nazrul is the shining guide to establishing a corruption-free society. "Nazrul is the shining guide in our great efforts to make democracy and independence meaningful for the people and establish a society free from corruption, hunger and deprivation," he said.
Members of the family of National Poet Kazi
Nazrul Islam
offer prayers at his grave on
the poet's
108th birth anniversary yesterday
The chief adviser was addressing the inaugural function of the national-level celebration of the 108th birth anniversary of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the evening.
He said: "Nazrul had enormous contributions to awakening the nation, flourishing our national identity, creating the national spirit and building our own heritage and culture."
The chief adviser said Nazrul is not only the source of inspiration for this country and the subcontinent but also for the people across the world who are struggling to establish a just society.
He said no poet other than Nazrul ever became so courageous and dauntless in raising voice for awakening the women and establishing non-communalism, human rights and humanity.
Prof Rafiqul Islam delivered a commemorative Speech at the function chaired by Cultural Affairs Adviser Ayub Quadri and organised by the cultural affairs ministry.
The poet's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi and Cultural Affairs Secretary ABM Abdul Huq Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Advisers to the caretaker government, diplomats, high civil and military officials, educationists, cultural personalities, artistes and book publishers were present at the function.
The chief adviser said the aim of Nazrul was to build a welfare-oriented society by eliminating evil forces.
He said Nazrul's songs of breaking the shackles had awakened the people against colonial rule and exploitation.
The chief adviser said Nazrul had freed the Bangla language from a limited boundary by making it lucid, dynamic and modern.
In her speech, Khilkhil Kazi appealed to the government for taking steps to translate all the literary works of Nazrul into English and place a portrait of the national poet at the Jatiya Sangsad.
Later, a colorful cultural function based on Nazrul's poems and songs was held.
In the morning, thousands of people visited the grave of the poet on Dhaka University campus and paid homage to him.
Teachers, students and employees of Dhaka University, led by Vice-Chancellor SMA Faiz, placed wreath at the grave.
Different organisations, including Nazrul Academy, Nazrul Institute and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, celebrated day with various programmes.
Govt out for transparent, healthy trend in politics: CA
Unb, Dhaka
May 9, 2007
Recalling poet Rabindranath Tagore's stand against social injustice, Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the nation is committed to setting a transparent and healthy trend in politics and economy to establish a progressive society.
"The philosophy and thought of Tagore have become very important in this 21st century when the world has turned into a global village. In this conflict-stricken world, peace and prosperity are now the dreams of globalisation," he said.
The CA was addressing a function organised by the cultural affairs ministry marking the 146th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Prof Anisuzzaman delivered Rabindra memorial speech at the function presided over by Cultural Affairs Adviser Ayub Quadri.
The speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, advisers to the caretaker government, high civil and military officials, educationists and cultural personalities attended the function.
Apart from Dhaka, Tagore's birth anniversary was celebrated in Shilaidaha, Shahjadpur, Patisar, Dakhhindihi and other parts of the country.
The chief adviser said: "Tagore's call for all to play their due role in changing the lot of the deprived majority and carry out a campaign to establish truth against falsehood still inspires people."
Quoting from Tagore's poem, the CA said his (Tagore's) call for resistance to the evil forces, who create obstacles to social advancement, still inspires the people.
"Rabindranath is still equally relevant to our individual and combined stream of life, determination and aspiration. His writings and works are undoubtedly the sources of immense inspiration in building the perception of native land," he said.
Rabindranth had dreamt of changing the lifestyle of deprived, neglected and downtrodden people of the country, the CA said.
He said Rabindranath is basically the poet of Bangladesh and Bangla-speaking people. "Diversified nature, soil and people of Bangladesh not only enriched the poet's feelings and experience but also generated endless inspiration."
The discussion was followed by a cultural function.
