Marking the occasion of the upcoming 122 birth anniversary of legendary Bhawaiya singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid on Sunday stated that Abbasuddin Ahmed and his family played a significant role in popularising Bhawaya songs, which is why the eminent singer is revered as the 'Bhawaiya Samrat' (Emperor of Bhawaiya songs).
He said that Abbasuddin Ahmed and his family members including his son Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, daughter Ferdausi Rahman and granddaughter Nashid Kamal played a leading role in spreading this folk genre throughout the country.
On Sunday, the State Minister spoke as the chief guest at the cultural program and certificate distribution ceremony among the students who completed various courses on music at the Abbasuddin Sangeet Academy.
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The event was organized to mark the upcoming 122nd birth anniversary of the ‘Emperor of Bhawaiya’ and the 35th anniversary of Abbasuddin Sangeet Academy at Gulshan Ladies Club in the capital on Sunday afternoon.
To spread the majestic creations of Abbasuddin Ahmed among the new generation, special seminars and discussion events are organized every year marking the birth and death anniversaries of the Bhawaiya Emperor at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh National Museum, the State Minister mentioned.
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“We have already declared Kurigram as 'Bhawaiya city' for the promotion and spread of Bhawaiaya songs. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inspired by the great singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, to join the language movement - which is mentioned in Bangabandhu's book, ‘The Unfinished Memoirs’,” Khalid said at the event.
He also stated that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will take necessary steps to provide annual grants to the 'Abbasuddin Sangeet Academy' established in the name of folk music pioneer Abbasuddin Ahmed, adding that the academy will be included in the list of institutions under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Chaired by Abbasuddin Ahmed’s only daughter and eminent singer Ferdausi Rahman, the event was joined by renowned singer-researcher-author-musicologist and Abbasuddin Ahmed’s youngest son Mustafa Zaman Abbasi and Abbasuddin Ahmed’s granddaughter, eminent vocalist, writer and professor of demography Dr Nashid Kamal as the special guests and the key speakers.