A daylong ceremony, titled Subarna Ekushey Podatik Shangskritik

Shammilan, was held at the Bokultala at Jainul Mancha in the city on February 21 in observance of Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day.

Professor Anisuzzaman, the immediate past DirectorGeneral of Bangla Academy declared the cultural fair open at 10:00 a.m. on the day.

Renowned artists and performers from groups across the country presented their expertise through various programs of songs, recitation, street drama and dance. Special attraction of the ceremony was the presence of several artists from the Indian states of Tripura and West Bengal.

The programs were divided in portions and it took a total of 13 hours to complete all the disciplines. A number of reputed poets of the country such as Belal Chowdhury, Mohammad Samad, Mahadeb Saha, Samudra Gupta, Nirmalendu Goon presented recitation of self-composed poems. Group recitation was performed by Baikuntha Abritee Academy.

Eight renowned personalities of the cultural arena namely A.T.M. Shamsuddin Ahmed, A.M.A. Muhit, Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, Alauddin Hossain, Professor Anisuzzaman, Begum Gul E-Ferdousi Rahman, K.G. Mustafa and Mostafa Nurul Islam were given a hearty reception and were glorified with the title of Language Warriors.

Among the guest artists from India, singer Alok Khastogir, Srimati Balaka, Lagnajita, Shyamali Das Gupta and Sudipta Ghose enchanted the audience with their amazing performance.

Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, Subir Nandi, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Nilufar Yasmeen, Indra Mahan Rajbangshi, Ferdous Ara, Tapan Mahmood, Laisa Islam Lisa and others too, rendered songs exceptionally well to the great delight

of the cultural connoisseurs who were patient enough to spend the whole day at the venue of Bakultala, till 9:30 p.m.