Painting and recitation competition by Agradut

By Aminul Islam - Mymensingh, May 17, 2009

Marking the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Agradut Shishu-Kishore Sangathan, a local cultural organisation chalked out a daylong programme at the Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium on May 15. 

The programme included painting and recitation competitions for students (in different age groups) and performances by artistes of Agradut. Some 50 students took part in the painting competition while 40 participated in the recitation competition. 

A discussion, titled "Rabindra and Nazrul: Our Culture," was held with Advocate Shahjahan Siraji as the convener of the Rabindra-Nazrul celebration committee. Alhaj Motiur Rahman, MP was the chief guest. Among others, editor of the Daily Jahan, Md. Habibur Rahman Sheikh, Mymensingh Press Club secretary Zillur Rahman Khan, Md. Abdul Quiyum and Shafiq Ahmed also spoke on the occasion. 

The speakers stressed that contributions of Tagore and Nazrul to our literature not only enriched it but also taught us how to stand united against injustice and oppression. Without the presence of these two literary titans, our culture would be incomplete, they added. 

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes among the winners of the competitions.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Bashonti Utshab in Sylhet

By Iqbal Siddiquee / Sylhet, April 7, 2009

A two-day 'Bashonti Uthsab' organised by the Shamakal Shurid Shamabesh (a readers' forum) concluded amidst much festivity last Saturday in Sylhet.

The festival began with an art competition for children at the central Shaheed Minar in the city last Friday morning. Shamim Akhter (widow of a freedom fighter Akhtar Ahmed), president of the Sylhet district unit of Jatiya Nari Jote, formally inaugurated the event. 

Prizes were handed among the winners in three groups. The concluding day's events included a poetry contest, discussion and a cultural programme.City Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran was the chief guest at the event. Saikat Habib, chief of Sylhet divisional chapter of Shamakal Shurid Shamabesh, and its adviser Lokman Ahmed spoke as special guests at the concluding function held at the Zila Parishad auditorium.

Shahjalal University unit of the readers' forum also organised a function at the 'C' building on campus last Friday evening. Eminent cultural activist Pandit Ramkanai Das was accorded a reception at the programme. Shahjalal University Students' Affairs adviser, Dr. Ilyas Uddin Biswas, spoke on the occasion. A daylong workshop on writing was a part of the programme. Saikat Habib conducted the programme.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net