Nazrul's anniversary celebration begins

Nazrul singers pay rich tributes to the National Poet. PHOTO: STAR

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman inaugurated the conference as the chief guest. Former Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Modabbir Hossain Chowdhury accompanied her on the stage. Noted Nazrul singers Ferdousi Rahman and MA Mannan, who are also the President and General Secretary of NSSA, were present.

Mustafa Kamal said in his speech that Nazrul is not being given his due as the national poet of the country. He expressed his grief that Nazrul Sangeet is 'often intentionally avoided in TV dramas that have so-called modern songs as sound tracks, whereas a Nazrul song could very well fit the sequence and story of the plays.' Mustafa Kamal, who is the son of eminent musician Abbasuddin Ahmed, said, 'I feel proud whenever I recall that I was named 'Mustafa Kamal Dodul' by the Rebel Poet.'

MA Mannan presented two proposals for the expansion and practice of the works of Nazrul Islam. He proposed holding such Nazrul conferences in the divisional towns every year, which later might be held at the district levels too. He also proposed sending expert musicians to districts who will train the teachers and students of the Nazrul institutions. 'It is a matter of grief that many dedicated practitioners of Nazrul Sangeet do not get any facility except books of notation,' he said.

Begum Selima Rahman emphasised the regular activities of institutions like the Nazrul Institute and the NSSA.

The conference awarded poet Talim Hossain and singer Nilufer Yasmin this year's Nazrul Padak posthumously for research and music. Shabnam Mushtari, renowned Nazrul Sangeet singer and eldest daughter of Talim Hossain, and Farhana Khan, daughter-in-law of Nilufer Yasmin, received the awards for the deceased.

In the cultural function all the performers of NSSA presented the theme song of the conference, Tora shob joyoddhoni kor. Students of Abbasuddin Sangeet Academy performed an Islamic song Amar Kamliwala. Renowned Nazrul Sangeet artistes also performed at the programme.