Unveiling the country's eclectic cultural repertoire
Ever since the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi unleashed the full range of cultural diplomacy a couple of years ago, any cultural event at its premises at the diplomatic enclave Chanakyapuri turns out to be a hit among connoisseurs of performing arts. A major achievement in a city where few people were familiar before with the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh.
The latest event in the series — a cultural programme to celebrate the 112th birth anniversary of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam — was another step in the right direction.
The 300-strong audience that packed the Maitree Hall of the High Commission on July 15 was treated to a wide range of dances, songs and poetry of the ‘rebel poet’. A splendid performance by ace dancer Tamanna Rahman received unprecedented appreciation; other highlights inlcuded rendition of Nazrul numbers by local artistes Mihir Kumar and Srabani Goswami and recitation of poems by Deputy High Commissioner Mahbub Hassan Saleh.
Tamanna Rahman performed seven dances to popular Nazrul songs, all choreographed by herself. The songs were: “Eki Oporup Roop-e Ma Tomar Herinu Palli Jononi”, “Shikol Pora Chhal”, “Rongila Apni Radha Tare Hori Rong Diona” and “Tora Shob Joyodhoni Kor”.
Tamanna captivated the audience through her dazzling performance, so much so that the Tajikistan Ambassador to India, who was in the audience, penned down a poem in Persian on the danseuse in the course of the programme and recited it before the audience at the end of the programme.
This was the second time Tamanna impressed the audience in Delhi in two months. She had also performed here in May at a function jointly held by India and Bangladesh to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
In between the dance numbers, Mahbub Hassan Saleh enthralled the audience with his recitation of three poems of Nazrul — “Bidrohi”,” Kuli Majur” and “Aaj Srishti Shukher Ullashe”. Mahbub’s voice would definitely place him alongside any top professional Bengali recitation artistes and might even convince him that a new profession beckons him other than that of a career diplomat.
Mihir Kumar and Srabani Goswami rendered nine Nazrul songs, including the ever-popular “Arunkanti Kego Jogi Bhikari”, “Khelichhe Jolodebi”, “Amar Gohin Joler Nodi”, “Amar Jabar Shomoy Holo” and “Durgom Giri Kantar Moru”. And with that, the programme ended on a very high note.
In the audience were distinguished cultural personalities like Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, one of the leading Kathak dancers and exponents; Leela Venkataraman, the foremost dance critic and author in India; ambassadors; high commissioners and other diplomats; journalists; members of civil society and senior government officials.
The one common refrain from the audience after the programme ended was that the Bangladesh diplomatic team at the High Commission here spearheaded by Tariq Ahmed Karim deserves full marks for unveiling the country’s eclectic cultural repertoire.
Original source at http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=194674
