Amor Ekushey at Shilpakala Academy

In observance of Shaheed Dibash, also known as International Mother Language Day, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a discussion along with a vibrant cultural programme at its premises on February 21.

Noted journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani attended the programme as chief discussant, while Dr. Abu Md. Delwar Hossain, a Professor at the department of History of Dhaka University, spoke at the event. Director General of BSA, Liaquat Ali Lucky, presided over the discussion.

A number of artistes with several cultural organisations rendered songs, performed dance and presented recitation. Young performers, artistes representing the indigenous communities and several foreigners who work at different embassies in Dhaka also performed at the programme.

Members of Shilpakala Repertory presented two group songs, while noted elocutionists — Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Rupa Chakraborty and Salim Durrani (of India) - recited poems at the event. Young artistes of People’s Little Theatre performed three songs in Japanese, English and in Zimbabwean languages. Their presentation, also featuring dance, received rounds of applause.

Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Abdul Jabbar performed two songs — “Aaj Ekushey February” and “Salam Salam Hajar Salam”. Dancers of Nrityalok Shangskritik Kendra performed to the song “Priyo Amar Matribhumi”. Kabirul Islam Ratan choreographed the piece. Members of Rewaz Performers’ School also danced at the event; the composition was choreographed by Munmun Ahmed,

Expressing their solidarity with ‘Projonmo Chottor’ (Shahbagh) protesters and demanding justice for the slain blogger Ahmed Haider Rajib, several artistes of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad performed two songs — “Shuddha Hawar Ei Mondir Shahbagh-e Esho Shob-e” and “Rajib Amar Bhai”. Mostafa Anwar Swapan has written the songs.

Twelve artistes (in six male-female pairs) representing six indigenous communities — including Chakma, Marma, Bom and Tripura — rendered the Ekushey song “Amar Bhai-er Roktey Rangano” in their languages. Later, a Bom singer rendered a patriotic song in her mother language.

Maintaining the theme, Filipino artiste Reiman performed a solo song; Saurav Kumar of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre presented a Bhajan, originally composed by Guru Nanak; Dr. Anamika Pandey (of India) recited a Hindi poem while Zinia and Salahuddin of Chinese embassy recited a Chinese poem at the event.

Former Vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, Professor Karuna Sindhu Das, also spoke at the event. “The entire world is, in a sense, indebted to the people of Bangladesh as they shed blood to ensure the right to speak in mother language in 1952,” said Professor Das.

More Related: Amar Ekushey 2010Actor Khairul Alam Shobuj’s solo music performance at Bangladesh Shilpakala AcademyWeek long Folk music festival at Shilpakala AcademyFolk song festival at Bangla Academy as a part of Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2010Bahwaiya Music Awards at the Bangladesh Shilpakala AcademyNazrul and Tagore Concert at Bangladesh Shilpakala AcademyJatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Artists AwardedBangla Academy honours Nurul IslamTraditional indigenous songs in Panchagarh book fairNational Rabindra Sangeet Shommilon