Nazrul Utshab 1418 at Chhayanaut
For the third consecutive year, Chhayanaut arranged a two day-long Nazrul Utshab (festival) 1418 at its main auditorium on July 1. Artistes of Chhayanaut began the festival with a choral rendition of the song “Anjoli Laho Mor Sangeet-e” while a number of artistes, with mongolprodip, presented a lively dance to the number set on the spiritual raga Tilang. Both the singers and dancers did justice to the raga. Sudeshna Sayongprobha, Mohona Das and Arno Kamolika stood out among others. Sharmila Bandyopadhyay choreographed the piece.
Terming Nazrul as the icon of our National conscience, general secretary of Chhayanaut, Khairul Anam Shakil gave the welcome speech at the event while National Professor Mustafa Nurul Islam delivered the Nazrul memorial lecture at the festival. Dr. Sarwar Ali presided over the session.
Giving a brief sketch of the poet’s life and works, Mustafa Nurul Islam emphasised Nazrul’s commitment to the Bengali nation and its literature. He cited excerpts from a Nazrul’s essay “Bangalir Bangla” that was instrumental in uniting Bangalis during our Liberation War. He also quoted excerpts from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s speech at Albert Hall, Kolkata in 1929— “When we go to the battlefield, we’ll sing Nazrul songs; when we embrace imprisonment, we will sing Nazrul songs as well.” “Nazrul was only 30, when he received a grand reception. Scientist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy presided over the programme,” Mustafa Nurul Islam added.
Child artistes of Chhayanaut started off the second session with a choral rendition, “Tolomol Tolomol Podobhorey, Beerdol Choley Shamorey”. A solo performance of a mixed Pilu Khamaj genre “Pashaner Bhangaley Ghum” by Rezaul Karim was performed next.
Alokananda Subrita performed a melancholic song “Aajo Ka(n)dey Kanone Koyelia” based on raga Hambeer. Her performance with an accurate tehai, at the end won her rounds of applause. Next, Bizon Chandra Mistry revealed his expertise as he performed, “Hey Priyo Amarey Debona Bhulitey”, a song set on raga Patdeep. Music connoisseurs savoured his immaculate offering.
Dr. Nashid Kamal rendered “Ei Muchhinu Aa(n)khi Jao Tumi Phirey” in raga Bhairabi. Based on raga Pilu, the number “Shawn Ashilo Phirey” was rendered by Salahuddin Ahmed. Seasoned singer Suman Chowdhury offered “Peye Keno Nahio Pai” while Dalia Nausheen performed “Srijan Chhondey Anandey”.
Nasima Shahin Fancy and Sharmin Sathi Islam presented a duet “Esho Hey Sajol Shyam Ghano Deya” while Apita Shome danced to the number. Noted reciters Bhashwar Bandyopadhyay and Kristi Hefaz recited from Nazrul at the programme.
Beside solo performances by noted Nazrul singers Shaheen Samad, Khalid Hossain and Ferdaus Ara, a number of Chhayanaut artistes Mahmudul Hasan, Chhanda Chakrobarty, Sanjoy Kabiraj, Swaralipi Karim, Joseph Kamol Roderick, Iffat Tasneem Haque Orin, Mofizur Rahman, Rawshan Ara Shoma and others performed at the festival. A choral performance by the artistes of Chhayanaut wrapped up the event.
Swarup Hossain, Enamul Haque Omar and Iftekar Alam Prodhan on tabla, Almas Ali on violin, Iftekhar Sohel on keyboard and Prodip Sarkar on mondira instrumentally assisted the singers.
Recitation, rendition of songs and dance followed on the second day of the festival that was held yesterday.
Mobile Phone Company Robi sponsored the festival.
-With The Daily Star input
