Remembering Rabindra-Nazrul in songs, poems, discussions

Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore and national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam are among the greatest minds of Bengali literature and culture. Two great souls of Bengali literature. Their literature and creative works have played an unforgettable role in shaping the identity and expanding the thinking of the Bengali nation, said speakers at a discussion.

They made the comments at a Rabindranath-Nazrul memorial event organised by social and cultural organisation ‘Shrishti Bishwamay’ on Friday (August 22). In addition to discussion, the two poets were remembered in songs and poems at the event.

The programme began with a party song at the Cultural Development Centre auditorium at Paribagh in Dhaka.

The discussion was attended by the organization's president Basudeb Dhar and advisor Pulak Raha, eminent cultural personality from Sylhet Niranjan Dey, and Khelaghar Central Committee General Secretary Rezaul Kabir.

Speakers at the discussion said Rabindranath Tagore made the identity of Bengalis brighter through his deep humanistic outlook, love of nature, and philosophy of life. He has taken Bengali literature to the heights of world literature. Nazrul, through his pen, also became the voice of rebellion, the desire for freedom, human dignity, equality, and the oppressed and struggling people. He has called for human liberation against exploitation, deprivation, and communal narrowness in his rebellious poems, songs, and writings.

They said paying tribute to Rabindra and Nazrul means returning to our roots, reviving the nation in the true light of literature and culture. Even today, it is especially important to apply their creations, thoughts and ideas in our daily lives.

Solo performances by Ratna Dutta, Shilpi Saha, Aniket Acharya, Sudeshna Bir Choya, Shamima Rahman Munni, Soma Das, Trisha, Martina M Sangma Trishna, Zakaria Suman, Barsha Raha, Sanowara Jahan Neetu, Md Momin Ullah and Alok Dasgupta and child artists Adrita Zara Roy, Abrita Sara Roy and Durba.

Vocalist Swaib Ahmed performed a solo recital and hosted the event.