'I wish to protest against fundamentalism throughout my life'
The programme started with a dance composition by renowned danseuse Dipa Khondokar and her troupe.
National Professor Kabir Choudhury, the Convenor of the Committee, along with political figure Rashed Khan Mennon, Gaziul Haque, poet Rabiul Hussain, then ushered Kamal Lohani and his wife Diptee Lohani on the stage. Professor Rafiqul Islam presented a large posy of flowers to Lohani on behalf of the Committee.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Kamal Lohani's life has been an eventful one with a political and cultural orientation. Born in 1934, Lohani's involvement in politics began through participation in a rally protesting the killing of students in the historic Language Movement in Pabna, where he studied.
After several years of political activities and consequent arrests, Lohani came to Dhaka during the mid-1950s and started his career as a journalist in the Dainik Millat. Later he also worked for the Dainik Azad, the Pakistan Feature Syndicate, the weekly Swaraj edited by Faiz Ahmad, and the Dainik Bangabarta that supported the ideologies of Bhashani.
He was also actively involved with the Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro, where he did news casting, reading slogans, recitation and oratory. He was given the charge of the Dhaka centre of Bangladesh Betar by the then Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad on December 25, 1971.
An amazing part of Lohani's life was spent as a dancer. He took lessons on dance from eminent master GA Mannan. Under his direction Lohani performed a dance drama on Nakshi Kanthar Maath of poet Jasimuddin and travelled to the then West Pakistan and countries of the Middle East. From 1962 to 1966, Lohani acted as the general secretary of Chhayanaut. He is also a former DG of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
In the second phase of the programme, a cultural presentation was conducted by renowned singers and dancers.
Lohani, in his speech, said, 'I don't want to live for a 100 years, but wish to remain strong enough to protest against fundamentalism throughout my life.'