Dhaka savors an evening of stars
Aprize distribution ceremony, 'Meril-Prothom Alo Star Awards 2001', was held on May 1 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Hall in the city to honour and inspire talents in the arenas of music, television, film-making, acting, modeling, and theatre. Apart from the giving away of the accolades a glitzy musical programme and a mind blowing fashion parade captivated the audience.
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Sohrab Hossain receives lifetime achivement award from N. Kundu. Hanif Sangket on the right. |
The award, believed, in general, to be one of high class in the cultural world of Bangladesh, introduced a special honor from this year in the form of Lifelong contributor's award. The award went to Sohrab Hossain, a renowned singer of the former times.
'I have sung for over six decades in different mediums and have also won numerous awards but to me, the special decoration of Meril-Prothom Alo award 2001 possibly carries more value than most other ones, due to its greater viscosity of judgment and opinion which come from critics as well as audiences, who number in millions', said elderly and knowledgeable Sohrab Hossain. As the veteran artist felt, it has been a rare opportunity in this country for most artists and performers to receive any award in their lifetime that he has achieved. 'I thank all the readers of Prothom-Alo and the critics for their kindness towards me, at a time when I was in deep thought of leaving for the eternity. Perhaps this will give extra boost and confidence during the last days of my life', added Sohrab Hossain.
The award that is jointly given to artists and performers of various mediums by the management of Prothom Alo, a vernacular daily and Meril group of Sqaure Toiletries Ltd., was introduced several years back with the help of opinion polls from readers and by judgment of a critics' panel.
The ceremony, for the first time, was held outside its regular venue of Hotel Sheraton. The opinion poll that usually takes place round the year among readers of Prothom-Alo was held this time at a gap of every four months on the pages of the daily newspaper. After completion of polls, names of nominated persons were declared recently.
Hanif Sangket was the host of the entire program who rightfully proved his competence as usual, and kept the large gathering in a high mood of exuberance. First part of the program involved selection of best singer in both categories of male and female. Eminent singer Farida Parveen opened the envelope and read out the name of the winner. It was Asif, a young prodigy of the present times who won the best singer's prize wbeating several senior candidates. Kanakchapa, a veteran in vocal performance, was named as best in her specialized category among female nominees.
Six reputed vocalists of the country, Farida Parveen, Rathindranath Roy, Indra Mohon Raj Bangshi, Shefali Ghosh, Dilruba Khan and Kiron Chandra Roy heightened the tempo of the event through some of their popular numbers including 'Milon hobey koto diney ....', 'Orey shampaanwala...', 'Pagol Mon, monrey...' and 'Shadher lau banailo morey boiragi ...'. A large section of the audience was seen dancing with the tune of the fabulous song 'Shadher lau...'.
Bijori Barkatullah, Tarin, Aupee Karim and Srabonti performed classical dance performances along with a support of around fifty co-dancers.
A added bonus for the wining stars were opportunities of receiving prizes from many of their idols and maestros in respective fields of culture as most of the award distributors included superstars of music, drama, film and direction of the former days.
The evening also included a huge sea of stars and superstars and many literary, journalistic and fashion personalities like Mahfuz Anam, Nitun Kunda, Bibi Russell and others.
Motiur Rahman, Editor of Daily Prothom Alo and Anjan Chowdhury Pintu, Managing Director of Square Toiletries, one of the co-hosts, delivered speeches referring to their ever-increasing passion towards culture and willingness of uninterrupted support towards its sponsorship and promotion.
The two-and-half hour-long extravaganza started with a minutes' silence in memoriam to the recently expired Prothom-Alo contributor Rozina Mushtarin. The programme came to a successful end with a chorus performance of patriotic song.
- Aziz Amirul
Courtesy: The Daily Star
