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Musical soiree by Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad

25 May 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Cultural Correspondent
25 May 2005, 18:00 PM
Ferdous Ara rendering a song. PHOTO: STAR
"The enormous contribution of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to the country's culture can hardly be measured. Unfortunately Nazrul is commemorated only twice a year-- on the occasion of his birth and death anniversaries," said Sujit Mustafa, a popular singer and one of the active members of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad (NSSP). Sujit asserted that NSSP was set up in 1988 to change this scenario and promote Nazrul Sangeet.

Fittingly, on the occasion of the 106th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, NSSP organised a three-day musical soiree that ended on May 25. The programme was organised at the National Museum auditorium with the slogan Shonao timirbhito biswey nabodiner bani, meaning "enlighten the ones living in the dark".

Over a hundred Nazrul singers attended the programme and rendered popular and uncommon songs of Nazrul. Among the eminent and popular singers were Fatema Tuz Zohra, Khalid Hossain, Nashid Kamal, Kairul Anam Shakil, MA Mannan, Ferdous Ara, Shaheen Samad, Khilkhil Kazi to promising artistes such as Sharmin Shathi Islam, Masuda Nargis Anam and AKM Shahjahan Patoari. The artistes performed melodious songs of Nazrul ranging from ghazal, patriotic and spiritual to love ballads.

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The programme was inaugurated by the Education Minister, Osman Faruq while veteran singer Ferdousi Rahman, granddaughter of Nazrul, Khilkhil Kazi and other prominent Nazrul singers were also present on May 23. Begining with the chorus song Tora shob jayadhwani kar, the musical session was compered by Sujit Mustafa.

Sujit said, "NSSP has several programmes to promote Nazrul songs countrywide, boost talented new singers and above all preserve Nazrul songs properly." He also pointed out that among the 3,500 songs of Nazrul, only about 1,800 songs are available on records. Moreover, among these songs about 400 to 500 popular songs are usually being rendered by the artistes. As Sujit said, "NSSP wants to promote the wide range of Nazrul songs, not just his popular, common and widely rendered ones."

To further Nazrul Sangeet, NSSP has arranged regular monthly shows. NSSP has a plan to develop a website where along with the life-sketch of Nazrul, the detailed profiles of Nazrul singers will be included.