Syed Shamsul Haque’s 79th birth anniversary was celebrated through presentation of the poet-playwright’s plays and poems on Friday at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The programme also featured dance recitals and music.
Literary magazine Samanya Kichhu in association with Shilpakala Academy organised the programme over a month later of the poet-playwright’s birth day which actually falls on December 27.
The programme began in a quite informal but colourful manner where Syed Shamsul Haque’s friends Qayyum Chowdhury, novelist Selina Hossain, poet Muhammad Nurul Huda and thespian Ataur Rahman shared their personal accounts with the poet-playwright.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of BSA, presided over the programme where Tokon Thakur, editor of Samanya Kichhu, delivered the welcome speech.
Different cultural organisations and publishing houses greeted the poet-playwright with flowers.
The main attraction of the programme was Haque’s presentation of his self composed poems such as Bhitore Keu Kandchhilo, Haat Dharte Pari, Asngkkha Chokh and Tumi Ki Jano.
Responding to the audience’s request the poet recited two sonnets from his famous collection of Poraner Gahin Bhitare.
A part of Syed Shamsul Haque’s classic Pawer Awaj Pawa Jay was recited jointly by Jayita Mohalanbish and Mahfuz Rizvi.
Theatre artistes presented a part from Syed Shamsul Haque’s play Krishnapakkha, directed by thespian Ramendu Majumdar, which highlights the volatile time of 1990s.
Singer and recitation artiste Swapnil Sajib and Samiul Islam presented a collage of Tagore’s songs and Haque’s poems including Tagore’s patriotic songs like O Amar Desher Mati and Tomar Dhane Bhora Anginate, and Haque’s poems Tomake Abhibadan Bangladesh and Tumi Bujhi Bangali Jatir Itihas.
Nrityabhumi artistes entertained the audience presenting a colourful recital based on Tagore song Jogote Anandajonye , choreographed by Ivan Shariar Sohag.
Last performance of the programme was staging of a part from Syed Haque’s English play Dead Peacock, directed by Gazi Rakayet and performed by Charuniram artistes.
Explaining the reason behind organising the programme a month later Tokon Thakur said, ‘We could not celebrate Syed Shamsul Haque’s birth anniversary on the day for the then political instability.’
-With New Age input
