The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

To promote the young Tagore and Nazrul singers of the country, Department of Dance and Music, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a two-day programme at the Dance and Music Centre. The programme began on June 9.

On the opening day, 18 promising singers performed Rabindra Sangeet and yesterday 24 singers rendered Nazrul Sangeet.

On the selection process, the officials of the department informed that they requested the leading music schools to recommend the names of their best young artistes.

Based on the recommendations from the gurus, the promising singers were invited. The department also considered applications of the young Tagore and Nazrul artistes who are enlisted with Bangladesh Betar and BTV.

Syed Muhammad Zubair, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, inaugurated the programme. Eminent musicologist Dr Karunamaya Goshwami was the discussant and Sunil Chandra Das, Director of Department of Dance and Music, delivered welcome speech. The discussion was presided over by Secretary of Shilpakala Academy Ashraful Mosaddeq.

Claiming the programme as a talent hunt initiative by Shilpakala Academy, Sunil Chandra Das in his welcome speech said, "This initiative aims to promote talented new artistes and we will consider these singers for other programmes at national level."

Appreciating the Shilpakala Academy initiative, Dr Karunamaya Goshwami said, "I hope the programme will introduce a good number of talented young singers."

Dr Goshwami also suggested, "BSA should take such programmes at the district levels as well. To develop the potential of these singers, BSA should arrange diploma courses on classical music, as the genre is the base."

Dr Goshwami had some words of advice for the young singers as well, "The young artistes should practice devotedly, with focusing on the meanings of Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet."

The chief guest's speech reflected Dr Goshwami's words. Syed Muhammad Zubair also focused on the necessity of arranging talent hunts at the district level.

The Secretary of Shilpakala Academy said, "We will submit a proposal to the government to initiate a talent hunt all over the country." The discussion was followed by presentations of Rabindra Sangeet. Young singers rendered Rabindra Sangeet from 'Prem' and 'Prakriti' Porjaye.