To observe the 37th death anniversary of Kazi Sabyasachi--a prominent elocutionist and eldest son of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, an award titled “Kazi Sabyasachi Smriti Puroshkar” has been instituted this year. The annual award will be conferred on two persons -- one from Bangladesh and another from India.

Legendary Indian actor-elocutionist Soumitra Chatterjee and noted Bangladeshi elocutionist Kazi Arif will receive “Kazi Sabyasachi Smriti Puroshkar” today at 6pm at a programme to be held at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum. The awards will be presented to them by Uma Kazi, wife of Kazi Sabyasachi.

“It is really a matter of joy that such an award has been instituted for the first time and I am going to get the award from India. I am grateful to the Sabyasachi family especially Khilkhil Kazi for selecting me,” said Soumitra Chatterjee over phone.  

“To pay homage to my father, from this year on the annual award will be conferred on deserving personalities,” mentioned Khilkhil Kazi, the convener of the memorial award and the eldest daughter of Kazi Sabyasachi.

Professor emeritus Anisuzzaman will attend the event as chief guest while Professor Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Nazrul Institute Trustee Board, will preside over the programme. Eminent personalities including, Barrister Rafique- Ul Huq, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, poet-playwright Syed Shamsul Haq and eminent thespian Ramendu Majumdar will present anecdotes about Kazi Sabyasachi at the event.           

Kazi Sabyasachi was the first to record the recitation of the poem “Bidrohi”, a unique poem by Kazi Nazrul Islam. He worked hard to reach out to the masses through the works of his celebrated father.