United News of Bangladesh

The 43rd edition of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan (National Rabindra Sangeet Conference) began on Thursday. It is organised by the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and is being held at the Chhayanaut auditorium in Dhaka's Dhanmondi. Cultural show marking Chinese New Year held in Dhaka The three-day conference, scheduled to be continued till January 25, is being joined by more than five hundred artists, cultural activists, and organisers from different regions of the country. Eminent Rabindra exponent Fahmida Khatun inaugurated the conference, and the president of the inaugural session, Dr Sarwar Ali, acknowledged her graceful presence with floral greetings. The three-day conference festivity began with the song “Ei Kotha ta Dhore Rakhish.” After the song, Dr Sarwar Ali delivered the President's speech, stating, "There was a crisis of artists here as many talented artists left for India after the partition—then talented artists like Fahmida Khatun and Zahidur Rahim played a special role in spreading the practice of Rabindra Sangeet across the country." “Fahmida Khatun inaugurated this conference today, and this incident has created a special significance for this year’s conference," Dr Sarwar Ali said, while also emphasising the majestic literary works of Rabindranath and how they resonated with society and its people for ages. ‘Nalini’: artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra’s solo exhibition begins at AFD Tania Mannan, secretary of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, delivered the welcome speech at the conference, informing that the recently deceased eminent Rabindra exponent, Papia Sarwar, will be honoured with Rabindra Padak at this year’s conference. After the speeches, the event started moving forward—starting with the lyrical ballad 'Firey Chol Matir Taney.'. The lyrics of the ballad were penned by Santosh Dhali, and the music was directed by artist Bulbul Islam, and the ballad was recited by Bhaswar Banerjee and Trapa Mazumdar. Nrityam Nrityashilana and Dhrithi Nartanalaya then showcased enthralling dance recitals, and after that, renowned Rabindra Sangeet artists including Rokaiya Hasina, Ashok Saha, Akalima Khatun, Shukla Pal, Ferdous Ara, Sushmita Ahmed, Prateek End, Partha Pratim Roy, Kallol Sengupta, Naima Islam, Mainul Islam, Anupam Basak, Pemana Roy, Irene Parveen, Asim Dutta, and Shrabani Mazumder performed solo songs. Alongside these solo performances, the Chandpur branch artists under the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad performed collective songs. Eminent dance artist Munmun Ahmed also performed on the inaugural day, and renowned recitation artist Dalia Ahmed recited Tagore’s poem at the event. 23rd DIFF concludes; ‘Priyo Maloti’ wins Best Film for Bangladesh More than 500 artists, cultural workers, and organisers from different parts of the country are participating in this year's 43rd National Rabindra Sangeet Conference. Activities of the second day of the conference started at 9:30 am on Friday, and several musical performances, dances, and recitals are scheduled to be held to enthral the Rabindra admirers. A delegation meeting was held on Friday at 3 pm, and a seminar titled “Rabindranath in Bangladesh and Rabindranath's Bangladesh" will be held at 4 pm. The activities of 'Zahidur Rahim Smriti Parishad' started in 1979 on the death anniversary of eminent Rabindra artist Zahidur Rahim. The name of the organisation was then changed to ‘Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad’ with a mission to operate on a larger scale across the country, and as of now, the Sammilan Parishad has been operating nationwide with its 82 branches. After its establishment, the first annual sessions were held only in the capital, Dhaka. To activate the branches, since 1984, conferences have been held in Dhaka for one year and in other districts the next year. Open to all, the three-day conference will welcome Rabindra admirers till January 25 at Chhayanaut.

At Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's (BSA) National Theater Hall auditorium in the capital, the three-day festivities of the 40th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan were inaugurated on Friday. Ekushey Padak-winning eminent educationist Syed Akram Hossain inaugurated the ceremonies of this flagship event of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad (JRSP).  The inaugural session of this exclusive convention, which has returned to the capital for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic, began with a harmonious rendition of the Tagore song 'Apni Obosh Holi'. Some 40 of the JRSP members and alumni, including renowned influential and cultural personalities, then began the ceremony by lighting the mangal pradeep (lamp of welfare) together on the stage.  Hosted by thespian Tropa Majumdar, the event was presided over by the executive president of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad, Atiur Rahman. The welcome remarks were delivered by Bulbul Islam, central general secretary of JRSP. "Our once-green world has turned blood red, and people must awaken their humanity, artistic sensibility, and compassion in order to save the earth and restore harmony to society. Music can be one of the majestic companions behind this awakening,” said Professor Syed Akram. Two special presentations of ‘Geeti Alekhya’ were performed on the opening day of the convention. Dr Atiur Rahman-written ‘Shampreetir Bangladesh’ was performed at the inaugural session, while Mofidul Hoque-written Liberation War-based 'Tomay Notun Kore Pabo' was performed in the evening session on the first day. The three-day convention is hosting a total of 700 artistes, organisers and cultural activists, and the inaugural day was observed with a youth competition, cultural segments and organisational activities. On Saturday, the festival is scheduled to feature a special seminar at 4 pm, featuring this year’s topic, 'The role of culture in creating a harmonious society'. Mofidul Haque, Liberation War Museum trustee and keynote speaker of the event, will deliver the lecture at the seminar which will be presided over by Sarwar Ali, while freedom fighter and cultural personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu and Professor Sadhan Ghosh will join as speakers. The evening will be observed with eminent singer Lily Islam-written ‘Geeti Alekkhya’ titled ‘Ananda-Sundor-Bishwo-Utsab’, which will be followed by several cultural segments, including songs, dance and poetry recitals.