Late cultural personality Waheedul Haq (1933- 2007) was recalled marking his 81st birth anniversary through different
cultural programmes in the capital on Sunday.
Cultural organisations Chhayanaut and Kanthashilon, both founded by renowned Tagore exponent Waheedul Haq, arranged two-day colourful programmes marking their founder’s birth anniversary. Chhayanaut organised an extensive exposure and presentation of folk music and other folk genres in the two-day programme at Bakul Tala of the Dhaka University’s faculty of fine arts.
The programme, Deshgharer Gaan, included presentation of folk songs of different parts of the country by original folk performers. The programme also included kichchhapala, kirtan, and palagaan.
Folk singer Taranikanta Roy, from Nilphamari, inaugurated the programme on Friday. The octogenarian singer also presented numbers of folk songs of the northern region.
Following the inauguration, Joypurhat-based singers’ troupe, led by Asad Ali Mondol, won the hearts of the urban audience with a presentation of a kichchhapala in a distinctive style.
Through songs, narrations and befitting dances, the troupe presented a well-known fairy-tale of a king having five wives and no child. The king’s desire to get an heir and the quarrel among the queens were humorously conveyed by the troupe.
Besides, Khulna-based troupe led by Manindranath Biswas presented kirtan titled Nouka Bilas depicting love story of Radha and Krishna.
On Saturday, Mymensing unit of Udichi Shilpigoshthi presented famous Mahua Pala of the region. A mixture of dance, music, song, physical feat and narration made the story of the gypsy girl’s (Mahua) tragic story enjoyable.
Singers Belal Hossain from Noyakhali, Jaynab Tabassub Banu from Bogra, Shahiduzzaman Mamun from Barisal and Pareshchandra Mondol from Patuakhali presented songs of the respective regions on the day.
Recitation organisation Kanthashilan’s two-day programme at the Shawkat Osman auditorium of National Public Library was also colourful.
On Saturday, the programme began with a group recitation of Lutfar Rahman Riton’s poem Nengtir Kando by the child artistes of Kalpolekha School.
Artistes of dance organisation Nrityanandan presented a group dance synchronised with timeless Tagore song ‘Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy.’ Directed by Sharmila Bandopadhyay, the well-coordinated recital and song delighted the audience.
Babul Baul, presenting folk song ‘Tomar Malikanar Garikhana’ accompanied with strong beats on traditional drum (dhol), created a joyous atmosphere in the packed auditorium.
Recitation artiste Dahlia Ahmed entertained listeners’ ears with her soulful recitation of Subodh Sarkar’s poem ‘Kolkatar Helen.’ Enamul Haque Bablu recited few poems including Khandokar Ashraf Hossain’s ‘Manush’ in his strong yet gentle voice. Enayet Kajol presented Mohadev Saha’s ‘Rabindranath Uttar Amra Kajan Jubak’ while Jahirul Islam Khan recited Nazrul’s ‘Khudiramer Phansi’ and Nomita Khan presented Tagore’s romantic poem ‘Abhisar’.
Earlier on Friday, the programme was inaugurated by Bangla Academy director general Samsuzzaman Khan in presence of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote president Nasiruddin Yousuff and Abritti Sammanoy Parisad general secretary Ahakamullah.
The day also featured noted actor Ali Zaker’s memorial speech on Waheedul Haq.
Besides, artistes of cultural organisations, including Chhayanut, Rabindrasangeet Sammilan Parisad and Satyen Sen Shilpi Goshthi, presented songs in chorus. Kanthoshilan artistes Belayet Hossain, Iqbal Khorsed, Masuduzzaman, Rabisankar Moitree and others recited poems of different poets at the programme.
Late iconic Tagore exponent Waheedul Haq was a journalist, musicologist and social and cultural activist. He is credited to found cultural organisations such as Chhayanaut, Kanthashilon, Nalonda, Anandadhani, Fulki, Bratochari Samity and Bashanto Utsab Udjapon Parishad. He also formed the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad in 1980.
-With New Age input
