The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad to celebrate national poet’s birth anniversary

Entertainment Report

Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad (NSSP) has announced plans to celebrate the 109th birth anniversary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam with a three-day programme. The event, "Nobin Asha Jaglo Je Re Aaj" will be held from May 19 to 21 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library.

This year the NSSP is celebrating the Nazrul birth anniversary (May 25) a few days ahead.

The three-day programme will feature songs, recitation of Nazrul's works and dance performances with Nazrul Sangeet by the leading and upcoming talented artistes.

Apart from renowned artistes and members of NSSP, the programme will highlight performances by ten artistes from five divisional cities and four artistes from Rangpur and Kushtia (two from each city).

To generate wider interest in Nazrul's life and works, NSSP, an organisation formed by leading Nazrul singers, has taken several initiatives.

These include monthly musical soirees, workshops and seminars. NSSP has an elaborate plan to establish branches in every district and arrange musical programme. The organisation also focuses on preserving the authenticity of lyrics and tunes of Nazrul Songs. The NSSP has also taken an initiative to launch a website on Kazi Nazrul Islam. The website will feature Nazrul songs, images and interviews of renowned Nazrul artistes, articles and more.

Banglalink will sponsor the three-day Nazrul Jayanti celebration.

Lina Taposhi’s Nazrul songs’ album launched

Entertainment Report

Country's eminent Nazrul singer and Shanto-Marium University of Creative Technology's faculty member Lina Taposhi Khan's solo Nazrul musical CD, entitled 'Choiti Chander Alo' was launched in Dhaka on Friday.

The CD, presented by Agniveena musical company, features Kazi Nazrul Islam's rare 12 songs. The CD, launched at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture at Dhanmondi, was followed by a musical performance by Lina.

Eminent Nazrul scholars, academics and musical experts, including Professor Rafiqul Islam, Atiqul Huq Chowdhury, Asadul Huq, Azad Rahman, Ittefaq chief correspondent Nazmul Hasan, spoke on the occasion. The CD is priced at Tk. 50.

Lina Taposhi, educated in Music from Shantiniketan in India, has completed her Master's in Economics from Dhaka University in 1988. This is her fifth CD. She has also four audiocassettes to her credit. Currently, she is doing her PhD on 'Raag' in the Nazrul songs under the supervision of Professor Rafiqul Islam.

Hyder Husyn’s solo performance

Entertainment Report

Singer Hyder Husyn is well known for his effusive and at times sardonic lyrics containing strong social messages.

Ranks Telecom Ltd and Rangs Properties Ltd, sister concerns of Rangs Group, organised a musical programme featuring Hyder Husyn at Shourav Community Centre at Topkhana in the city on May 15.

The event was a part of the organizations' corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

At the concert Husyn performed some of his most popular songs as well as some unreleased numbers.

The programme started at 7:40 pm. Husyn started off with 'Procharona,' from his album 'Phaisya Gechhi.' The song focuses on rural campaigns. Next he performed the song 'Bolo bolorey hai hai.'

In between the performances Husyn talked about his songs and inspirations behind them.

"I see the wrongs, the injustice and the imbalance in the society and write songs addressing the issues. I try to point out, distinguish the right from wrong, so that the audience can understand the anomalies and become aware. Music can be a powerful tool to generate social awareness," said Husyn.

Among the songs performed by Husyn at the concert was 'Gonotonro.' The song addresses democracy and its significance.

Other songs rendered by the musician included 'Sari,' 'Phaisya gechhi,' 'Muktijoddhara,' 'Mon kijey chay bolo,' 'Kichhukhon' and unreleased compositions 'Premic mon and Swapno.'

The song 'Jantey hobey' focuses on the anti AIDS campaign pointing out the confusions, which may arise by the advertisements - the campaigns focus more on 'promoting safe sex' than 'discouraging safe sex with more people,' according to the artiste.

"Surveys show that the migrant workers who return home after spending years abroad are often responsible for spreading the virus, as they contract the virus overseas. Instead of focusing mainly on the youth, campaigns should also address the migrant workers and steps should be taken to educate them," said Husyn.

Music can be a very effective tool as it has the power to motivate the masses. Many artistes have used music to generate social awareness.

At the concert Husyn was on the rhythm guitar. Masudul Hassan played the bass guitar. They were accompanied by Biplob on the keyboard, Mujib on drums and Mohammad Ali on tabla.