Folk song festival at Bangla Academy as a part of Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2010

As part of the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2010, noted artistes of the country performed folk compositions, including songs of Lalon and Hason Raja, at Bangla Academy premises on February 11.

Shapla Kolir Ashor, a troupe of the city comprising children, performed a lyrical dance drama highlighting the Language Movement and the Liberation War. Following their performance, Sanskriti Bikash Kendra presented a recital on Language Movement on the occasion.

Mohammad Akbar Ali Shai, a trainer of Lalon songs at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, rendered two songs — “Hawa Domey Dekho Taar” and “Ekbar Dekhna Mon”. Sufia Monwar also sang two Lalon songs — “Ei Deshetey Ei Shukh Holo” and “Shob Lokey Koy Lalon Ki Jaat.”

Singer Selim Chowdhury performed two Hason Raja numbers — “Nesha Lagilo” and “Shona Bondey Amarey”. Eminent Lalon artiste and exponent Farida Parveen performed two songs of Lalon — “Shatya Bol Shupothey Chol” and “Milon Hobey Koto Diney”.

“The sacrifices and contribution of the Language Movement martyrs established a set of values for our nation,” Selim Chowdhury said.

Farida Parveen expressed her reverence for the souls of the martyrs and wondered whether “all Language Movement martyrs have been honoured.”

Among others, Mridul Kanti Chakraborti, Dil Afroze Reba and Fauzia Chowdhury Parveen, sang on the occasion.

Gazi Abdul Hakim on banshi, Ratan Bonik on tabla, Shafiqul Islam on dhol, Ashutosh Sheel on dotara and Nazmul Alam Khan on percussion assisted the vocalists.

On behalf of Bangla Academy, Nurunnahar Mukta, deputy secretary of the department of culture, organised the programme.