Event
'Tagore and Nazrul were our greatest inspiration during the Liberation War' --Kamal Lohani
Cultural Correspondent
'When Bangladeshi people faced extreme torment as the Pakistani rulers wanted to abolish our culture, we received the inspiration to revolt against injustice from Tagore and Nazrul, the two great poets of Bengal.' Kamal Lohani, an eminent cultural personality, expressed this opinion at a recent function at the Liberation War Museum.A discussion session and cultural programme was held on the contribution of Tagore and Nazrul's works in our Liberation War. Lohani elaborately discussed the political and cultural history of our Liberation War along with the contribution of the cultural groups and personalities during the war. He pointed out that the Pakistani rulers in a desperate attempt banned Tagore songs.'The entire nation protested against the decision and the Cultural Independence Establishment Council (Shanshkritik Swadhikar Protishtha Parishad) had many activities to mark their stand on the issue. Whenever we got into any cultural and political crisis we drew inspiration from Tagore's litarary works,' said Lohani. About Nazrul, Kamal Lohani said that people politicised Nazrul by saying he is the poet of the Muslims. 'But his patriotic character which was his identity, has been overshadowed by his Muslim identity. ' His songs were among the greatest inspirations during the war. After the discussion session, two recitation groups Katha and Muktadhara recited Tagore's Shishutirtha and Nazrul's Agamoni. The musical effect in the background and the expressions of the artistes of Katha were truly appreciable. The stereotypical style of recitation was not at all enjoyable. Later the singers of Chhayanaut rendered different Tagore and patriotic songs.
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