Baikuntho Recitation Academy
In order to popularise recitation as an art form throughout the country, Baikuntho members travel around the country. The group has a regular programme titled Shekorer Shondhaney Baikunthor Proyash (The attempt of Baikuntho in search of roots). This group has toured many places such as Comilla, Sylhet, Chittagong, Naogaon, Bogra, Mymensingh and Meherpur.
The architects of Baikuntho were Shimul Mustafa and Nasirul Haque Khokon. Soon they were joined by 15 youngsters. Prominent among them were Deen Muhammad, Tutul, Farhad and Atiqullah Majumdar.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Later in the mid-1980s, Baikuntho organised a workshop and a recitation performance Chhandey Anandey, which marked an official start for the group. The process of collecting membership started 10 years later and soon other people joined the group.
Baikuntho arranges special recitation training workshops twice a year. These four-month workshops serve as training platforms for the young generation. After evaluating their performance, the participants are included as members. Baikuntho has arranged 15 such workshops from 1996 and 40 students are being trained in each workshop.
The most noteworthy performances of Baikuntho are Bende Kahini, Shotykarer Rupkatha, Roudro Jaler Khelay, Bishbrikkher Bij, Anirdistho Upakhyan, Kono Dakghar Nei and Rushprint. Among the flourishing artistes are Mehedi Hassan Chandan, Barkat Ali Dhruba, Meher Nigar June, Debobrata Sarkar, Sabbir Al Harun and Khaleda Shapla.
About the new productions of the group, Shimul Mustafa said regretfully, 'We are not allowed to practice inside the Teachers Students Centre (TSC) as before. It is, therefore, difficult for us to work for new productions.' He also regretted the idea of allocating places for the new groups instead of old ones by the authority of TSC. However, Shimul said that it is a positive sign that many groups are formed and people are getting interested in recitation.