Country's prominent cultural institution Chhayanaut arranged an online cultural tribute on Saturday night, in respect of late Ekushey Padak winning late Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque.

Titled 'He Bhubonomohini', the virtual programme broadcasted on Chhayanaut's Facebook group and YouTube channel, was a collective tribute including remembrance talks, recitations and song performances of noted artists and cultural personalities towards Haque, who was Chhayanaut's one of the integral parts through her lifelong bonding with the Institution.

The singer, who was also the unit head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, passed away on April 11 after losing her battle with COVID-19.

Chhayanaut Secretary General Laisa Ahmed Lisa opened the programme with her introductory remembrance speech, which was followed by other noted solo speakers including Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun, artist Nasehun Ameen, Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque, artist Sushmita Ahmed Borna, Asim Dutta, Mohua Monjuri Sunanda, Hasan Arif, Sharmila Bandopadhyay, Bulbul Islam, Enamul Haque Omar, Ahmad Mazhar, Bangladesh Women's Federation President Dr Fouzia Moslem, Durbadal Chattopadhyay and former Minister for Cultural Affairs and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor.

"Mita was surprisingly active with strong personality since her childhood whom I never saw getting stumbled in her ways. She was my brother-in-law's daughter, so I got to see her thriving through every barrier of learning, as she was always a natural learner," Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun lauded Mita Haque, sharing some of her fond memories regarding music with the talented artist.

Also read: Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away

"As an active cultural organizer throughout her life, Mita was naturally possessed with personality and individualism. She was flamboyant, she was a natural performer and organizer, and we have always been inspired through her activities," Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque spoke highly on her skills and activities as an organizer and one of the lifelong companions of Chhayanaut.

Eminent thespian and former Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor reminisced the Rabindra Sangeet maestro, saying: "Mita was already a family friend, and our bonding got even stronger after her marriage with Khaled Khan who was a pioneer thespian. She was a thriving force behind establishing an enriched cultural practice in Bangladesh, and her contribution will forever be remembered through her admirers, colleagues and us."

The event also showcased some of the notable performances of the late Rabindra Sangeet maestro, alongside poetry recitals and song presentations of her cultural colleagues.

Artists including Mita Haque's daughter Farhin Khan Jayeeta, alongside artists Sushmita Ahmed Borna, Abhaya Dutta, Iffat Ara Dewan, Bulbul Islam, Sharmeen Sathee Islam, ATM Jahangir, Tania Mannan, Khairul Anam Shakil, Elora Ahmed Shukla, Suman Chowdhury, and Laisa Ahmed Lisa performed several songs from the genres of Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and others.

Born into a musical family on September 6, 1962, the noted artiste received her musical training from maestros including her paternal uncle and late musicologist Waheedul Haq, current Chhayanaut president Sanjida Khatun and musician Ustad Mohammad Hossain Khan, to name a few.

She has been a regular performer in the Bangladesh TV and radio since 1977 and was one of the top-ranked performers of both National Radio and Television

Besides her esteemed singing career, Mita Haque was the founder director and teacher of her music school Shurotirtha. She has served as the head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, Dhaka and also as the former general secretary and incumbent vice-president of the Rabindra Sangeet Shommelon Parishad.

For her remarkable contribution to the music industry, she was conferred with Ekushey Padak in 2020 and the Rabindra Puraskar from Bangla Academy in 2017.