A press conference for 'Nazrul Utsav 2022', a two-day festival to commemorate the work of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, was held yesterday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) premises at Shegunbagicha.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sanstha, Arunaranjani and Gulshan Society, will also commemorate the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. It is set to be held on March 11 and 12 at the capital's Gulshan Society Lake Park. 'Nazrul Utsav 2022' is sponsored by the German Chamber of Commerce and HSBC.

Karim Hasan Khan, Syed Ahsan Habib, Khairul Anam Shakil, Yakub Ali Khan and Masuda Nargis Ahmed were present at the conference, as a part of the organising committee. 

"We are proud to present artistes and singers of our generation who have specialised in Nazrul Sangeet. If we can work towards uniting Nazrul singers from all over Bangladesh, we will be able to promote the significance and influence of the National Poet," shared Ekushey Padak-winning Nazrul Sangeet exponent,  General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sanstha, and Director of Arunaranjani Khairul Anam Shakil.

He also stated that the younger generations still have a long way to go in understanding Nazrul's struggles and philosophies.

"Through this event, we not only plan to promote Nazrul's influence in music and poetry, but also inspire the younger generation of artistes to carry his legacy forward. We will celebrate the life of the poet by bringing together artistes from both the Bengals," shares noted singer and Acting President of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sanstha Yakub Ali Khan.

'Nazrul Utsav 2022' will feature an audio anthology of 125 Nazrul songs performed by seasoned veterans and emerging artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Eminent actor and Member of Parliament Asaduzzaman Noor, Liberation War Museum Trustee Dr Sarwar Ali, Gulshan Society President ATM Shamsul Huda, Founder Trustee of the Liberation War Museum Mofidul Hoque, noted singers Khairul Alam Shakil and Yakub Ali Khan, along with Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam, will be present at the festival as special guests.

2,000 to 2,200 songs by Nazrul in their authentic form will be launched during the event. Noted artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal, including Sreeradha Bandyopadhay, Susmita Goswami, Srikanta Acharya, Manomay Bhattacharyya, Jayati Chakraborty, and Priyanka Gope will perform Nazrul Sangeet at the programme.