On the occasion of the 156th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore, like the previous years, Bangla Academy honoured two eminent personalities with Rabindra Award 2017. Bangla Academy this year honoured eminent essayist-poet Hayat Mamud and noted singer Mita Haq with Rabindra Puraskar 2017 on Sunday at a programme on the academy premises. Hayat Mamud has received the award for his research work on Tagore literature, while Mita Haq was awarded for her contribution in the field of Rabindra Sangeet. President of Bangla Academy Professor Anisuzzaman handed over the awards worth 50 thousand taka each to the recipients. Presided over by Professor Anisuzzaman, seasoned Rabindra Sangeet singer Fahmida Khatun was present as the chief guest at the programme. Dhaka University’s English Department Professor Fakhrul Alam and Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan were also present at the event.
After receiving the award, Hayat Mahmud expressed his feelings by saying, “In my long career, those who love me deeply, they give me this award in recognition of my work. This is very much pleasurable to me.”
Mita Haque said, “It was never in my mind that along with Hayat Mahmud on the same stage, I will receive the award engraved with the name of Rabindranath Tagore. I am truly proud for being honoured with the award. The award will involve me to the intensive research and study on Rabindranath.”
Born in July 1939, Hayat Mahmud is a Bangladeshi essayist-poet. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2016 by the government. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Bengali Literature from University of Dhaka. He earned his PhD degree on contemporary literature from Jadavpur University. He served as a faculty member of Jahangirnagar University. On the other hand, Mita Haque is a prominent Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer. She is listed as the highest grade artiste of the Bangladesh Betar. She released 14 solo musical albums from India and released 10 musical albums in Bangladesh. Her mentors were Sanjida Khatun and her paternal uncle Waheedul Haq. Mita Haque runs a music school Surtirtha. She also served as the head of the Rabindra Sangeet Department  at Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan in Dhaka.