The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A solo musical soiree of Rabindra artiste Mezbahul Azam Monju was held at the Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy yesterday evening.

Syed Mohammad Zobaer, Secretary for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, was present as chief guest in the function, while Md Sharful Alam, Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, was present as special guest on the occasion.

Sunil Chandra Das, Director of Music and Dance Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, gave the welcome speech, while Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, Director General of Shilpakala Academy, chaired the programme.

Eminent poets, litterateurs, intellectuals, secretaries of different ministries, government and non-government officials, artistes, among others, were present in the programme.

The programme was divided into two parts. In the first part, discussion meeting was held, while in the second part, artiste solo musical presentation by artiste Monju was held.

Monju rendered some number of songs. His performance gave the audience trilled and created a nostalgic moments for a while.

Artiste Monju started his musical career during his childhood in Rangpur from Sirajuddin of then Rangpur Sangeet Academy. He performed in Bangladesh Betar as child artiste in 1972. He is an established Rabindra artiste and regularly performing in BTV and Betar.

He got a civic reception in 1993 for practising healthy music in 'Beacon Sangskritik Sangathan' in Rangpur. He got gold medal to perform best in the regular cultural programme organised by Jalsha, a cultural organisation, in 1993. He was rewarded in various times in Kolkata and other places in India.

Artiste Monju performed in various programmes as child artiste in Kuchbihar in India organised by Bangladesh Sangskritik Mukti Parishad during the Liberation War. He is a life member of Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha.