Published: 12:44 AM, 03 October 2018
The musical soiree at DU that transmits noble message
Dhaka University, of Dhaka, Bangladesh organized a massive musical soiree at Teacher Student Center auditorium, Dhaka, on 27th day of September 2018. Though this is the first time this correspondent of The Asian Age, Dhaka, from the Indian city of Kolkata, had the pleasure of witnessing this gala event sparked off emotional mind in my inner heart.
The said gala event of Dhaka University was coined as 'Rabindra Nazrul Sandhya' which indicates an evening to commemorate the noble contributions by those two bards of Bengali language and literature among the inquisitive minds of present generations among the Bengalis of both India and Bangladesh.
If the program of the said evening is analyzed in a broader perspective it can be analyzed as such that the said gala evening transmitted noble message to our mind is that Bengalis despite political bifurcation are still under one banner which we cannot deny at all.
The said cultural rendezvous was inaugurated by Dr Nasrin Ahmad, pro-vice chancellor of Dhaka University, Dhaka. Dr Nasrin Ahmad in her speech highlighted the noble contributions by both Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore.
She said 'despite political bifurcation both Nazrul and Tagore are still the source of inspirations to Bengalis of both sides of the fence.' She further highlighted various contributions by the Arts Faculty along with music and dance department of Dhaka University (DU) in encompassing cultural upliftment among Bengalis.
It is also stated in bolt and blue that Bengalis from the Indian state of West Bengal and Tripura should further broaden their cultural grooming in a macro perspective.
Apart from Dr( Mrs) Nasrin Ahmad others who rendered views about both Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore was Dr Rafiqul Islam, National Professor, Dr Anisuz-zaman, Emeritus Professor of Dhaka University, Dr Abu Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Dean of Arts Faculty, Dhaka University, Dr Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Dean of Music and Dance Department and Dr Surma Zakaria Chow-dhury, Professor of History.
Among the speakers speech by Dr Rafiqul Islam, about Kazi Nazrul Islam and Dr Anisuzzaman about Rabindra Nath Tagore was worth mentioning.
Dr Rafiqul Islam in his speech highlighted broadly about the contributions by Kazi Nazrul. It is a pity to note that despite the glorious contributions by the rebel poet his durations of the above was for a paltry 23 years ( from the year 1919 to 1942) but interesting part was that created revolutions among the masses of undivided India of those days.
It was by playing harmonium rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in those days portrayed the feeling of nationalism and rebellion in those days among the younger generations of those days. Another unknown mystery was deciphered in those days that rebel poet was also close to Kamal Ataturk.
In this regard if we turn over the pages of history then we find Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was a noted Turkish Army Officer, founder of the Republic of Turkey bore true rebellious attire which also became deeply impregnated in the mind of young and effervescent Kazi Nazrul Islam (who was also nicknamed Dukhu Mian) to step up his outrages against the terrorizing British rule.
Kazi Nazrul also composed quite good numbers of poetry based upon Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Further Dr Islam also made glaring analysis between Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore.
In fact it is a known fact to all literary lovers of Bengal in both sides of the fence that Rabindra Nath Tagore was deeply affectionate towards the rebellious attitude of young Dukhu Mian.
After the end of discourse about Kazi Nazrul Islam by noted national scholar of Bangladesh Dr Rafiqul Islam he received widespread applause and encomiums from cross sections of audiences present at the colorful TSC (Teachers Student Center) auditorium.
Dr Anisuzzaman, another notable scholar on literature spoke vividly about Rabindra Nath Tagore and his contributions towards social upliftment in both sides of Bengal. It was in fact Rabindra Nath Tagore cemented the bonds of friendship and fraternities between present India and Bangladesh.
Tagore was the composer of national anthem of the both above stated nations under South Asian continent. Dr Anisuzzaman also stated that with the passing away of time Rabindra Nath Tagore shall continue to remain embedded in the hearts of Bengalis of both nations.
Dr Rezwana Chowdhury in her speech broadly highlighted the logic behind the holding of this mammoth cultural congregation which no doubt cemented the bonds of friendship and fraternities between Bengalis of both India and Bangladesh. She also emphasized upon the present generations to think positives in life and also be influenced by the teachings of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Dr Abu Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Dean of Arts Faculty, Dhaka University, welcomed the students of various departments of Arts Faculty and the attending guests. He also appealed to the students to be more secular oriented and absorb the noble ideals of both Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore as both appealed to the societies to be more positive and idealistic in life.
Professor Surma Zakaria Chowdhury, Professor of History, Dhaka University, welcomed the guests and also narrated the day's program which included additional attraction of the performance by Rabin-andan Cultural Group from Kolkata, India plus the performance by the students of music and dance department of Dhaka University.
Musical rendezvous of September 27, 2018, evening began with the rendition of Rabindra Sangeet 'Sankochero Bihwalata Nijere Apoman---' then followed by another Rabindra Sangeet ' Alokerei Jharnadharai---' etc. Nazrul Geeti by Leena Taposhi Khan and Susmita Anis was superb which earned innumerable encomiums from attending audience.
Also Mrs Priyanka Gope added to the audience with her mellifluous rendition of Nazrul Geeti.
Here comes the most added attraction apart from the performance of Rabindra vocal music and dance was the attractive performance by Rabinandan cultural group from Kolkata, India.
Rabinandan, is a small cultural group under the leadership of Mrs Debjani Majumdar, who began with the rendition ' Mora Satyer Pore Mon Koribo Samarpan---' and later seven others covering which is also inclusive of chanting of Hindu Mantras from religious scripts.
Mrs Debjani Majumdar despite ill health performed remarkable rendition along with able assistance by Mrs Minku Roy, Mrs Malini Gangopadhayay, Mrs Sabari Nag Das and Mr Nayan Ranjan Mukherjee. All have performed remarkably well with preparations made within short span of time.
Mrs N.R.Mukherjee performed the role of a narrator with alacrity but unfortunately evoked little response in front of attending audiences. The first chorus song under the leadership of Mrs Majumdar was very touching one as Rabindra Nath Tagore throughout his eighty years of his existence in this eternity always propagated the gospel of truth.
This thought processes should be inculcated in the minds of product of modern generations. The cultural group was accompanied on the tabla by Tapan Sarkar( a reputed among the cultural ensemble of Bangladesh) and Rabin on synthesizer and on flute by Kamrul.
As per the views of attending audience at TSC auditorium, Dhaka all members of Rabi Nandan cast good impact upon the audience along with N.R. Mukherjee, Minku Roy, Malini Gangopadhayay and Shabari Nag Das with the narration by Mrs N.R.Mukherjee was good but of moderate pattern. Rezwana Chowdhury Banya watched the entire rendition of Rabi Nandan amidst interest and reverence with special tributes to Mrs Majumdar.
After the end of rendition of Rabinandan cultural ensemble the Dean of Arts Faculty presented crest to Mrs Debjani Majumdar and her team of Rabinandan cultural group as a token of participation with overwhelming applause from the attending audience.
Finally the entire program ended with dance and song by the students of music and fine arts of Dhaka University ( a part of Arts faculty department) with Rabindra Sangeet with the voice over of Banyadi and also some nationalistic music. From their performances one point is clear to my mind is about the sincerity and devotion to tasks assigned to them.
The entire program ended at around 19.40 hours Bangladesh timing with attending audience applauded the performers amidst gaiety and warm regards. After the presentation formalities audiences started meting for their homeward journey.
Overall this cultural gathering organized by the Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, Dhaka along with performances by Rabinandan, Kolkata, India embodied bonds of friendship and fraternities among Bengalis of both sides of the fence. Plus the relationship between these two closer and friendly Saarc nations will accelerate further in the coming days.
Sujayendra Das is Asian Age correspondent, India
