Grandeur at Bakultala

Dhaka Podatik staged a street play

Language Movement hero artist Imdad Hossain inaugurated the programme. Litterateur Selina Hossain and theatre personality Golam Kuddus and Professor Ajay Ray of DU were present at the inauguration ceremony. Rendition of the National Anthem and the song of Ekushey Amar bhaier rokte rangano commenced the cultural sessions that continued till 11 pm. The programme was conducted by Selim SH Chowdhury.

The programme kicked off with Podatik's cultural wings performing songs, poetry recitation and dance.

Solo songs were performed by Ajit Ray, Nahar Jamil, Naima Ali, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya, Tapan Mahmud, Mita Haque, Salma Akbar, Sajed Akbar, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Bipul Bhattacharya, Fakir Alamgir, Nilufar Banu, Mahbubul Haider Mohon, Akramul Islam, Biman Chandra Biswas, Jannat-e Ferdous Lucky, Azizur Rahman Tuhin, Sifayet Ullah, Suchitra Sarker, Tamanna Ahmed, Bijon Mistri, Kanak Khan, Elma Sharmin Shathi, Bidisha Dewanji, Dr. Susmita Ahmed and others. Rukhsana Akter, Babul Sarker, Ruma Akter and Sohrab Dewan performed folk songs. Besides, Obbhudoy, Surtirtho, Surer Dhara, Geetanjali and Sur Shaptak performed group songs.

Subachan Natya Shangsad, Dhaka Podatik, Dhaka Theatre Mancha presented street drama in different sessions. Spandan, Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts, Tamanna Rahman and her troupe, Nritya Nandan, Kabirul Islam Ratan and his troupe performed dances.

Poet Aslam Sunny, Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay, Hassan Arif, Raikhan poet Mong Ekhen Mong Mong, Kotha Abritti Chorcha Kendro, Kanthashilon, Swarkalpan Abritti Chakro, Dhaka Swarkalpan presented solo and group poetry recitation. Poet Mong recited his own poem in his own ethnic language and later translated it into Bangla, which the audience appreciated very much.

A Garo cultural group from Tangail performed lively dances and songs in their own language at the programme. The participators--Shankari Hagidog, Shoma Sim Sang, Poheli Rema, Grisa Hagidog, Lina Dalbot--are all students of Asia Hassan Ali Women's College of Dhonbari, Tangail.

Subarana Kazi, the grandson of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, performed a song on Ekushey and a Nazrul song--De gorur ga dhuiye towards the end of the programme.

Podatik Natya Shangsad has been holding programmes to observe the Amar Ekushey for the last seven years.