An offering of music and dance to Tagore

Clockwise (from top): Mou (centre) and other dancers in “Shyama”; Nargis Chowdhury and Fahim Hossain Chowdhury render Rabindra Sangeet at the programme. Photo: Mumit M.

On the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s 148th birth anniversary, a cultural programme was held at the Ball Room, Hotel Sheraton on May 11. The programme, arranged by VCARE, featured recitation of Tagore’s writings, rendition of Rabindra Sangeet, and staging of the Tagore dance-drama “Shyama.”

Manzur-Ur-Rahman, former senior vice-president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, formally inaugurated the programme. A group dance performance commenced the cultural programme. Artistes of Nrityalok Sangskritik Kendra also performed a group dance at the programme.

Noted reciters Pragna Laboni and Mahidul Islam recited several poems and writings of Tagore, including a duet performance of “Hothat Dekha.” The solo performances by Laboni and Mahidul were “Achena,” “Pratigga,” “Paye Cholar Poth” and “Aji E Prabhatey.”

Mahidul also read out an open letter to Tagore from Shaheed Harun-Ar-Rashid. The letter was found with Rashid’s corpse during the Liberation War. The letter — narrating the brutality of war — was first read out on Akashbani, Kolkata in 1971.

Seasoned Tagore singer Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, along with Nargis Chowdhury, rendered several songs at the programme. Nargis’ performance included familiar numbers, “Chokher aloye dekhechhilem” and “Shokhi bhabona kaharey boley.” Fahim Hossain also rendered widely-known Rabindra Sangeet, including “Tumi ki keboli chhobi,” “Aakash bhora shurjo tara” and “Ogo bideshini.” Both artistes seemingly struggled with the uncooperative sound system throughout their performances.

Dance-drama “Shyama” was the last item to be staged at the evening. The production featured dancer-model Sadia Islam Mou and noted dancer Kabirul Islam Ratan in the lead roles.

The drama narrates the story of a court-dancer, Shyama, falling for Bajra Sen, a merchant from overseas. The play starts with Bajra Sen acquiring a priceless set of jewels called ‘Indramanir Haar’ from Subarna Dwip. Soon, he is seen being chased by a royal guard. They come across Shyama and her acquaintances. Strikingly beautiful Shyama is pursued by many but her heart is set on Bajra Sen since their chance encounter. The royal guards arrest Bajra Sen and Shyama starts plotting how to rescue the object of her affection and soon comes up with a plan.

Drama Serial Channel 21 on Ekushey TV

Drama Serial “Channel 21″ will be aired tonight at 9:30 pm on Ekushey TV. With the concept of Abdus Salam, the serial has bee written and directed by Masum Shahriar.

The plot zooms in on a news team working for Channel 21. The news at 7 on the channel is very popular for its bold reporting and style of presentation. Shaila Sharmin is the chief reporter. Known for her bravado, she is quite a star. Cameraman Wahid Reza is timid, but on duty, he is fearless. Preeti is the popular news presenter. Then there are the news producers, editor, technical hands and others. Starting with an issue between Shaila Sharmin and the news editor over airing a particular news, the play moves on with these characters in the newsroom of Channel 21.

The cast includes Jayanto Chattopadhyay, Richi Solaiman, Anisur Rahman Milon, Zakia Bari Mamo and others. A number of real TV reporters are also featured in the serial.

S: The Daily Star

20th Nat’l Rabindra Sangeet Festival begins

With the slogan “…Durjanerey Hano,” the five-day ‘20th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Utshab’ (National Rabindra Sangeet Festival) began at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library on May 5. The annual programme, organised by Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha (BRSSS), marks the 148th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. Over 100 Tagore artistes from and outside Dhaka are participating in the programme. The highlight of the first day’s programme were solo and group performances.

The day’s programme commenced with a rendition of the National Anthem. This was followed by choral renditions of “Akash bhora shurjo tara” and “Byartho praner aborjona” by the artistes of BRSSS. A brief inaugural ceremony came next. In his welcome speech, Tapan Mahmud, general secretary, BRSSS, introduced a seven-point agenda to create a favourable environment for the practice of Rabindra Sangeet. The list of demands also included the establishment of a Rabindra Academy and mandatory musical programmes on Rabindra and Nazrul anniversaries at all educational institutions.

Chief guest A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddiqui, vice chancellor, Dhaka University, formally inaugurated the programme. Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das, also an advisor to BRSSS, presided over the session.

In the course of the programme, the organisers felicitated noted ‘tabla’ artiste Md. Shahjahan for his contribution to music. Shahjahan has been involved with several musical institutions and had the rare distinction of performing alongside legendary singers Kanika Bandopadhyay, Hemanta Mukharjee, Manna Dey and many others. He has been involved with music for the last four decades.

After the inaugural, the musical soiree resumed. Aditi Mohsin rendered “Ratri eshey jethaye meshey.” Nafisa Rahman and Steve Turjo (from Faridpur) rendered “Aamar praner porey” and “Tomar khola hawaye” respectively.

Rabeya Akhtar and Sima Sarkar’s performance of “Ei korechho bhalo,” and “Shey din amaye bolechhiley” came up next.

Among others, Tipu Chowdhury, Liton Chandra Baidya, Rita Majumdar, Lili Islam, Ashok Saha, Mahiuzzaman Chowdhury and Shanchita Mitra performed on the first day.

Artistes of Surtirtha and Bishwabina performed group songs at the programme. Their renditions included “Nitya shatye chintan,” “Taharai aarti korey” and “Shundor botey tobo.”

Yesterday (May 6), an open discussion on different aspects of Rabindra Sangeet from the contemporary point of view was held prior to the musical soiree.

Today, a similar discussion along with a musical soiree will be held at the venue. Tomorrow, on the occasion of Tagore’s birth anniversary, a daylong programme will commence early in the morning. A documentary by Satyajit Ray on Tagore will be screened at 11:30am. Members of BRSSS will also celebrate the 86th birth anniversary of Tagore exponent and president of the organisation Kalim Sharafi.

Exhibition of Bangladeshi painters in South Korea

The Bangladesh Embassy in South Korea and Korean Foundation are jointly organising an exhibition of eleven Bangladeshi painters at the Korea Foundation Cultural Centre. The exhibition will display around 100 paintings by eleven renowned Bangladeshi artists.

The participating painters are Mohammad Kibria, Rafiquan Nabi, Mahmudul Haque, Kalidas Karmakar, Abdus Shakoor Shah, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Monsurul Karim, Ranjit das, Mohammad Eunus, Rokeya Sultana and Kanak Chanpa Chakma. The exhibition aims to introduce the best of contemporary Bangladeshi art to the Korean enthusiasts. The exhibition will feature pure abstract, semi-realistic, semi-abstract and folk-themed paintings. All participating artists have had solo and group exhibitions in the country and abroad.

This will be one of the biggest exhibitions of Bangladeshi art in Seoul. Korean painters and art connoisseurs have expressed keenness on Bangladeshi art and culture, indicated by their frequent participation in the Asian Biennale held in Dhaka. The exhibition will be inaugurated on May 8 and will continue till May 16.