Twelve acclaimed artistes honoured

Recipients of the Award (standing) seen with the guests at the event

The recipients of the laurels are singers Ferdausi Rahman, Runa Laila, Farida Parveen and Apel Mahmud. Among lyricists Gazi Mazharul Anwar and music composers Shujeo Shyam, Khademul Islam Basunia and Alauddin Ali received the honours. In addition there are dotara player Abinash Chandtra Shil, Fine Arts professor Mahmudul Haque, actress Khadija Zaman aka Mirana Zaman and presenter Hena Kabir.

Information Minister M Shamsul Islam was the chief guest of the programme. Three special guests were Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu, deputy minister for Land, Dr. M Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of Ministry of Information and M Najmul Ahsan, director general of Bangladesh Betar. M Najmul Ahsan, director general of Bangladesh Betar, said, "There are 425 staff artistes who are basically instrument players in Bangladesh Betar on contract basis. I hope the government will absorb these artistes as regular Betar employees."

Dr M Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of Ministry of Information, said, "We see enormous newspaper coverage of concerts by mediocre foreign artistes. Instead, we should work together for the promotion of our talented artistes."

Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu, deputy minister for Land, said, "Cultural activities of a nation promote goodwill abroad. That is why we seek to nurture our rich culture and discourage cultural programmes featuring amateur foreign artistes. I believe regular cultural performances of the renowned artistes of our country can solve the crisis."

Information minister M Shamsul Islam said, "TV is obviously a glamorous medium, compared to radio. But, we always should keep in mind the vital role of Bangladesh Betar in promoting our rich heritage. We hope to present the programmes in an attractive manner. We will try our best to absorb the staff artistes of Bangladesh Betar as full-time employees."

President of the discussion session, also the chairman of Nijoshwa Shilpi Shogstha, renowned flute player Gazi Abdul Hakim, said, "The country is facing a paucity of traditional instrumentalists such as sarangi and sarod players. That is why we seek support from the government for the instrument players of the country."

A wonderful musical soiree, which showcased prominent singers as well as talented intrumentalists, was followed by the discussion. The musical programme started with the orchestra of 50 instrument players. With 14 violins, four sitars, tabla, mandolin and other instruments the orchestra played Amaro Deshero Matiro Gondhe.

The grand classical instrumental presentation seemed to entrance the audience. Renowned Tagore singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bonna sang Amar hiar majhe --to the delight of the audience. The mystic Lalon song, Samay gele shadhon hobe na by acclaimed Lalon singer Farida Parveen with Gazi Abdul Hakim on the flute, received equal acclaim. Yasmeen Mushtari sang a Nazrul song Porano prio with enjoyable voice modulation. Then the audience was charmed by a Bhatiali tune, a popular folk genre. Promising folk singer Abu Bakar Siddiqui performed the Bhatiali piece Amar har kala korlam re. Renowned singer Subir Nandi presented his popular Adhunik song Amare e duti chokh to a warm ovation.

The Bangladeshi cultural scene will be enlivened by more such outstanding concerts.