The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy honoured seven renowned artistes to recognise their contribution to music and dance at a reception at the Sangeet O Nrityakala Academy Auditorium of the Shilpakala Academy on June 25. The artistes were Shah Abdul Karim, Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Shahanaz Rahmatullah, Niaz Muhammad Chowdhury, Subal Dutta and Zeenat Barkatullah. The Department of Dance and Music of Shilpakala Academy organised the ceremony titled 'Gunijon Sangbordhona 2008.' Rasheda K Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, was present as chief guest at the function.

Mohammad Sharful Alam, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, was present as special guest, while Sunil Chandra Das, Director of the Department of Dance and Music of Shilpakala Academy, was also present on the occasion.

The function was divided in two sessions. In the first part, the felicitation ceremony was presided over by Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, Director General of Shailpakala Academy, while in the second part a cultural programme was held.

Each honoured artiste received a crest and a cheque for Tk 10,000. The award-giving ceremony started after receiving first award by Shah Abdul Karim, It is mentioned that the elderly folk music icon couldn't attend at the programme due to his illness. Shah Noor Jalal, his son, took the award on his behalf. Umena Anzalin, daughter of artiste Anjuman Ara Begum, took the award of Runa Laila on her behalf.

Sabina Yasmin was the third artiste who was awarded.

While taking her award she said, "Awards are recognitions of an artiste's hard work and they inspire the artiste to work harder and give more."

Then Shahanaz Rahmatullah came and "An award means a lot to an artiste, but it very important that s/he receives the recognition in his/her lifetime. Artistes receiving posthumous awards are quite common nowadays. This is not a good trend."

Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury's award was taken by his son Faiyaz Muhammad Chowdhury. In the second part, the cultural programme was started with a dance presentation with the Rabindra Sangeet 'Anandadhara bohichhey bhuboney,' performed by artistes of Shilpakala Academy. Deepa Khondokar directed it. Artistes Fahmida Nabi, Munir Khan, Nabid Shafiullah and baul Kala Mian rendered songs at the programme.

Then a duet dance was performed by Farhana Chowdhury and Abdur Rashid.