Upholding the tradition

Fakir Alamgir: Preserving the roots of Bangali culture

It was way back in Bangla 1390 or 20 years ago when Wrishiz's first Pahela Baishakh programme to welcome the new year was held at the Narkel Bithi premises in front of Dhaka Shishu Park. On their first occasion, eminent cultural personality late Golam Mustafa, film actor Bulbul Ahmed, singer Kaderi Kibria, Subeer Nandi and Meena Barua, dancer Saleha Chowdhury and Habibullah Choudhury and others were present. While I was talking to the chief organiser Fakir Alamgir, he said in a nostalgic vein, 'The thought first came to my mind in the Bangla Year 1389 when I was enjoying the traditional programme of Chhayanaut along with my family. After the programme I went to Shilpakala Academy where my fans insisted that I sing. The audience gave a good response and applauded my instant performance. And the very next year, along with my group Wrishiz, I began the journey to promote the root of the Bangalee culture in front of Shishu Park, which has turned into an important annual event.'

The programmes by Wrishiz include not only the songs and recitation. The cultural organisation also honours prominent cultural personalities every year. Among the well known figures are Late Shaukat Osman, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Sohrab Hossain, Dr Abdullah Al Muti Sharfuddin, artist Qaiyum Chowdhury and others. This year Wrishiz will dedicate the whole programme to Professor Mazharul Islam, while the father of Shaheed Matiur Rahman will inaugurate the show. Musicians Kuti Mansur and Milton Khandoker, folk singer Meena Barua and Shimul Mustafa will be accorded a reception.

Apart from its own artistes, Abdul Jabbar, Shahin Samad, Meena Barua, Subeer Nandi and Momtaj will sing on the occasion.