Chhayanaut celebrated its founding member Waheedul Haque’s seventh death anniversary presenting songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore and his family members at a commemorative programme held on Monday at the Chhayanaut Auditorium in Dhanmondi.
General secretary of Chhayanaut Khairul Anam Shakil narrated the biography of the late cultural personality at the discussion session of the programme. Thespian Ali Zaker delivered a memorial speech on Haque describing Waheedul Haque’s contributions in shaping the cultural arena of the country.
Waheedul Haque (March 16, 1933 – January 27, 2007) was a journalist, writer, musicologist and an expert and teacher of Tagore songs. He was one of the founding members of the cultural organisation Chhayanaut. For his contributions, Waheedul Haque received Ekushey Padak for music in 2008 and Independence Day Award for culture activities in 2010.
The cultural programme began with a chorus song of Rabindranath Tagore’s elder brother Dwijendranath Tagore. The song Anande Akul Jobey presented by the combined voices of about 50 singers created a joyous atmosphere in the hall. The chorus also presented a devotional song Deho Gyan Dibbo Gyan of Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, at the show.
Rabindranath Tagore’s Oi Mohamanob Ashe received loud applause from the crowd while presented by the chorus. The beautiful lyric and composition of the song delighted the listeners who gathered in the winter evening.
The audience enjoyed songs of Jyotirindranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore’s younger brother and close companion, titled Aha Ki Chandni Raate and Antar Taro Antortamo presented by Niloutpal Roy and Laisa Ahmed Lisa, respectively. Noted singer Iffat Ara Dewan rendered Rabindranath Tagore’s song Tobu Mone Rekho at the programme.
Tagore’s eldest sister Sarala Devi Chaudhurani was also a noted musician of her time. One of her songs Hey Bijon Atithi was also presented at the programme in a solo rendition by Mahua Manjuri Sunanda.
A good number of audience enjoyed the show. Tauhidul Rahman, a Tagore enthusiast from Mohammadpur, told New Age that he came to know many new things about Tagore. ‘I am a Tagore lover but I didn’t know many things about Tagore’s family members, which I came to know at the programme,’ said Rahman.
-With New Age input
