Cultural organisations pay rich tributes to Language Martyrs

Dhaka, Feb 22 -Marking the International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs Day, different cultural organizations in the country arranged various programmes on Sunday. Organizations including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liberation War Museum, Chhayanaut, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Bangladesh Abritti Samannay Parishad organized various programmes throughout the day.
Featuring discussions by noted personalities and cultural performances including songs, dance recitals and recitations, these events were joined by both Bangladeshi audiences as well as the expatriates in Bangladesh from other countries.
Several of the aforementioned cultural organizations placed floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the morning, paying homage to the martyrs.
Bangla Academy organised a special seminar at its Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad (AKSB) Hall at 11 am, followed by a ceremony conferring the poet Jasimuddin Literary Award 2021 to veteran language activist, writer and researcher Ahmed Rafiq.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid joined the event as the chief guest, while former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique spoke as the main discussant at the seminar.
Presided over by Bangla Academy President Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general Habibullah Siraji delivered the welcome speech. The programme was broadcast live on the Facebook page of the Academy.
Chhayanaut, country’s renowned cultural institutions, arranged a live cultural event titled “Opomane Tumi Jole Uthechile” on its Facebook group and YouTube channel at 7 pm. Artistes of Chhayanaut performed songs and recitations at the event.
Liberation War Museum (LWM) also held a virtual programme titled “Maayer Vashay Praaner Ucchar” at 8 pm, from the Facebook pages of LWM and Radio Shadin 92.4 FM.
Country’s first all-female indigenous band F-Minor performed songs, journalist and writer Anisul Hoque delivered an insightful lecture on the historical timeline of the language movement, several indigenous groups showcased multiple different dance performances and a special musical presentation on late playwright Munier Chowdhury’s play ‘Kobor’ was presented by singer Alfaz Ahmed and Anannya Nishi at the virtual event, to name a few.
Bangladesh Abritti Samannay Parishad also broadcast a live programme titled “Ekusher Prothom Prohor” on its Facebook page marking the day at 7:30 pm, featuring discussion and recitations.
Eminent actor former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor and current State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid virtually joined the special programme as its special guests, among others.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organized a seminar and cultural programme titled “Bishwer Shob Desher Matrivasha Rokkha Korbe Bangladesh” at its National Theatre Hall at 5 pm, featuring special performances by noted expatriates and foreign officials in Bangladesh, including the Nepalese Ambassador in Bangladesh Dr Banshidhar Mishra, Australian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer and more.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid joined the event as the Chief Guest, while the Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Md Badrul Arefin joined as the special guest at the programme, presided over by BSA Director-General Liaquat Ali Lucky.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi arranged a special cultural programme titled “Darun Krodher Agune Abar Jwalbo February” in front of the National Museum at Shahbag at 5 pm, featuring musical performances of Udichi artistes.
Alongside these events, all television and radio channels broadcast special programmes marking the International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs Day. – UNB