Home ›› 31 May 2022 ›› Show Biz
Dhaka University professor emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury received the first Nazrul award-2022 conferred by Bangla Academy. Marking the 123rd birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bangla Academy has organised a programme featuring a lecture on Nazrul, an award ceremony, and a cultural segment. The event took place at Nazrul Mancha at 4:00 pm on Sunday.
The programme began with a minute of silence, in memory of the late writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury. Later a book titled ‘Bidrohi Shatabarshe Shata Drishti’ was launched at the event.
Bangla Academy director general poet Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech. Presided over by Bangla Academy president and eminent writer Selina Hossain, State Minister of Cultural Affairs K. M. Khalid was present as chief guest, while cultural affairs secretary Md Abul Monsur as special guest and Nazrul Sangeet singer Lina Taposhi Khan presented a keynote speech at the event.
As part of the prize, Serajul Islam Choudhury got Tk 2,00,000, a certificate, and a crest.
After receiving the award Serajul Islam Choudhury said, “I am delighted, proud, and inspired, after receiving this honour conferred by Bangla Academy.”
“Kazi Nazrul Islam is one of Bangladesh’s most significant poets. Nazrul is associated with all of us because his works have instilled hope and inspiration in thousands of people. Nazrul’s write-up inspired me as a teenager, and then I wrote a few books in Bengali and English about Nazrul”, he added.
Speaking as the chief guest, KM Khalid said, “Bangabandhu is the one who brought Nazrul from India to Bangladesh, gave him the status of the national poet, and selected his songs as war songs of Bangladesh.
The centenary of Nazrul’s poem ‘Bidrohi’ and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence inspire us to fight against all injustice, blindness, and superstition.”
“Nazrul has faced many obstacles in his life but he has overcome all of them and set an example for the entire nation. He raised his voice against the British Empire and spoke out against communalism and fundamentalism,” said Md Abul Monsur as the special guest at the event.
“Bangla Academy has published a historical book titled ‘Bidrohi Shatabarshe Shata Drishti’ on the occasion of the centenary of Nazrul’s iconic poem ‘Bidrohi’ and the golden jubilee of bringing national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and his family to Bangladesh. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam with his family to Bangladesh. Along with that, on the occasion of the centenary of the poem ‘Bidrohi’, we have placed the complete form of the poem in the form of sculpture based on the thought of sculptor Chowdhury Jahanara Parvin at Nazrul Mancha,” said poet Muhammad Nurul Huda in his introductory speech.
“As recognition of the contribution to Nazrul practice, from now on Nazrul award will be given every year. This year we are glad to be able to honour Serajul Islam Choudhury with the first Nazrul award. His detailed research and writings on the national poet give the readers a glimpse into the depths of Nazrul’s works,” he added.
The event came to a close with a cultural performance. Mahidul Islam and Shawkat Ali recited poems, while Yeasmin Mushtari and Altaf Hossain rendered Nazrul Sangeet at the event.
