The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

May 25 marked the 109th birth anniversary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. His works - poetry, songs, features, essays and more - played a great role during the movements against the British Raj. During the Liberation War his songs and poetry inspired the nation.

To celebrate Nazrul Jayanti, Channel-i organised a daylong 'Nazrul Mela' at its Tejgaon office on May 25. This was the second Nazrul Mela by Channel- i.

The event was inaugurated at 11:00am. As a symbolic gesture, 'Munia' birds were set free by renowned artistes and media personalities. Among others, artist Hashem Khan, Managing Director of Impress Telefilm Ltd, Faridur Reza Sagor, veteran Nazrul singer Sohrab Hossain, poet Asad Chowdhury and writer Imdadul Haq Milon attended the inauguration. A performance by the artistes of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad followed.

Performances were held at an open stage, named 'Nazrul Mancha' at the office premises, as well as an indoor stage.

Solo performances were held on the indoor stage while the group performances by artistes of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad, Nazrul Institute, Udichi, Wrishiz, Sursaptak, Surbihar and other cultural organisations were held at the open stage.

Khalid Hossain, Ferdaus Ara, Sujit Mustafa, Shelu Baua, Yakub Ali Khan, Barkat Hossain, Dinu Ahmed, Bijon Chandra Mistri, Nawshin Laila, Sharmin Shathi Islam, Jannat-e-Ferdousi, Rahat Ara Geeti, Laila Afroz, Kazi Arif and others sang and recited poems at the Mela.

At the programme, artists - Hashem Khan, Jamal Ahmed, Biren Shome, Alokesh Ghosh, Abdul Mannan and others painted on the theme 'Nazrul.'

The Mela had 20 well-decorated stalls by various organisations, including Nazrul Academy, Nazrul Institute, Srabon Prokashoni and Impress Audio Vision. The stalls featured books on Narzul's works. There were also stalls featuring some rare photographs of the poet.

Though the Mela was inaugurated which much enthusiasm, intermittent rain throughout the day disrupted the event. Veteran artiste Ferdausi Rahman attended the mela. She said, "Last year I was overseas and couldn't attend the 'Nazrul Mela.' However, I did watch the event live on TV with my grandchildren."

Faridur Reza Sagor said, "The main reason behind organising the event is to celebrate the birth anniversary of our National Poet in a festive manner. Through initiatives like this, we want to take Nazrul to the world."

"Programmes like this can generate interest among generations who are living abroad and have little or no idea of our culture," he said.

Sharing his views, writer Imdadul Haq Milon said, "Both Nazrul and Rabindranath are iconic in our culture. Celebrating their birth anniversaries is a positive move by Channel-i."

The Mela had something to offer to everyone. Children drew and painted on the theme 'Nazrul' at an art competition held at the Mela.

This year Channel-i presented the 'Nazrul Mela 2008 Aajibon Shommanona' to Nazrul artiste and exponent Sohrab Hossain. The veteran artiste received a cash prize of Tk 10,000. As part of the award, the artiste will receive Tk 10,000 from channel-i every month from now on.

Nazrul Mela was aired live on Channel-I on May 25.