Photo: Collected
Cultural institution Chhayanaut organised its special commemorative event 'Deshghorer Gaan' on Saturday, in memory of its founding member and the country's esteemed cultural personality Waheedul Haque.
The event commemorated the 91st anniversary of the legendary cultural icon, who mobilised public support against the anti-Tagore hate campaigns of the then-Ayub regime and founded Chhayanaut with like-minded people in 1961 on the occasion of the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore, reports UNB.
Prominent folk singer Kanan Bala Sarkar inaugurated the event at the Chhayanaut auditorium on Saturday.
The event featured regional songs by esteemed local artists, including Gurupada Gupta (Khulna), Badal Rahman (Patuakhali), Jayita Arpa (Mymensingh), Bimalendu Dash (Habiganj) and the guest of the event Kanan Bala Sarkar.
In addition, Eidu Boyati and his team from Jamalpur delivered 'Kichhapala' performances at the event.
Chhayanaut Joint Secretary Jayanta Roy delivered the welcome speech at the event, while its General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa delivered the vote of thanks.
Waheedul Haque was born on March 16, 1933 in Keraniganj, Dhaka. Besides Chhayanaut, he is also regarded as a prominent cultural activist for establishing 'Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad' to promote the practice of Tagore songs in 1980. He also established the 'Jatiya Bashanto Utsab Udjapon Parishad.'
During the 1971 Liberation War, Haque established the 'Swadhin Bangla Shilpi Sangstha' and later he also established recitation organisation 'Kanthashilan' and other institutions including Nalonda, Anandadhani, Fulki, Bratochari Samity and more.
As an esteemed journalist in the country, Waheedul Haque began his career with the now-defunct The Daily Morning News. Throughout his career, he worked with a number of dailies and periodicals, including The Daily Star, The Daily New Nation, the People and The Weekly Web, to name a few.
Waheedul Haque passed away on January 27 in 2007. He was posthumously awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2008 and Independence Award in 2010.
Messenger/Faria
