BRAC University (BRACU) organised a musical session titled ‘Desh, Mati o Shwadhinatar Gaan’ on March 21 where students and teachers of the university presented Bangla songs and poems.
The event was part of the university’s regular Bangla musical programme ‘BRACU  Bangla Gaaner Vabna O Poth Chola’ aimed at creating cultural awareness among the students by highlighting the rich musical heritage of Bangla songs, says a press release.
The BRACU auditorium was decorated with pictures and posters of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and prominent cultural activists such as Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dwijendralal Ray, Rajanikanta Sen and Atul Prasad Sen.
A total of nine songs, including patriotic songs of Panchokabi (five poets) and others, were rendered by student artistes, who included including Protiti Ahmad, Sejuti Mahmud, Raisa Islam, Nafisa Shama, Ataur Rahman, Yasir Arafat Mondol, Rashmi Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar, Kazi Razin Ahmed, Argho Bhattacharya and M Munirul Azam. Eminent Nazrul Geeti singer Dalia Nowshin, who was an artiste of Shwadin Bangla Musical Troupe during the Liberation War in 1971, was a guest performer.
Inaugurating the musical session, BRACU Vice Chancellor Syed Saad Andaleeb said the aim was not only to please the auditory senses but also to know the history associated with the songs and their creators. “This will help to uphold the traditions of Bangla poems and music among the students and remind them about the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh,” he said. He hoped to organise similar events once every semester.
The programme was attended by a large number of students and faculty members of the university. Sharmind Neelotpol, assistant professor of the pharmacy department, was the event’s co-coordinator. Simantic Creative Concern and BRACU Office of Co-curricular Activities provided necessary support.