Two-day long ‘Nazrul Utsav’ to take place in February

A two-day gala event commemorating the work of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is to be held on February 11-12 at the capital's Gulshan Society Lake Park. 

Noted artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal, including the likes of Sreeradha Bandyopadhyay, Susmita Goswami, Srikanta Acharya, Manomay Bhattacharyya, Jayati Chakraborty, and Iman Chakraborty will grace the occasion, performing songs of Nazrul.

The event, which will be free and open for all upon online registration, is going to be hosted jointly by Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sanstha, Arunranjani and the Gulshan Society.

An audio anthology of 125 Nazrul songs performed in strict accordance with authentic lyrics and composition by veteran and emerging artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal will be released at the event.  In addition, an online archive consisting over 2,000-2,200 songs by Nazrul in authentic form, will also be launched which will be available free of cost.

"It is imperative to preserve and promote the work of our National Poet for the next generation in pristine, authentic form," said event convenor and an Ekushey Padak winning Nazrul sangeet exponent, Khairul Anam Shakil.

"The Gulshan Society is honoured and delighted to co-host this event," said Barrister Sarwat Siraj, the society's secretary general. "As an organisation, it is our passion to nurture community kinship."

The event will be dedicated to the memory of the eminent litterateur Dr Rafiqul Islam, who was one of the supporters of the event.

In addition to songs, the event will include poetry recitation, dance performances, and an exhibit on Nazrul's life.

This program has already conducted workshops in 28 districts in Bangladesh to promote performance of Nazrul songs in authentic form.