With a four-day festival that began on April 2 at the Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium, Public Library, recitation organisation Swarakalpan Abritti Chakra is celebrating its 12th anniversary. Human rights activist and advocate Sultana Kamal inaugurated the event. Eminent cultural personality Asaduzzaman Noor, president of Bangladesh Abritti Shamonnoy Parishad was the chief guest at the programme. Recitation artiste Ahkamullah, general secretary of Bangladesh Abritti Shamonnoy Parishad was the special guest.
Swarakalpan started their journey on February 9, 1996. The organisation aims to popularise a closer- to-life style of recitation.
Being a cultural organisation, Swarakalpan never turned away from socio-political issues. Rozakar-er Namta, is their most successful production featuring poems that express detestation for the collaborators of the Pakistani Army during the Liberation War. Swarakalpan has also awarded eminent recitation artistes, organisations and productions. This year's Swarakalpan Abritti Shommanona Padak will be announced on the last day of the festival.
Ashish Koraya, general secretary of Swarakalpan delivered the welcome speech at the event.
A one-minute silence was observed in honour of the late Tagore exponent Wahidul Haque; playwright Selim Al Deen; Language Movement veteran and poet Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury; singer Sanjib Chowdhury and the Sidr victims.
"Behind every anniversary of any cultural organisation, there are stories of struggle and Swarakalpan's case is no different. The ideals Swarakalpan holds close are related to the collective goal of this country,” Ahkamullah said in his speech.
Asaduzzaman Noor said in his speech "Organisations like Swarakalpan are an inspiration. Personal insights are involved in recitation. That very insight makes
a person able to speak out for humanism, democracy and secularism."
"Once upon a time, cultural activities were an integral part of our lives without which we couldn't even think of growing as a human being. But now, it has become a distant and imposed thing. My regards to Swarakalpan for trying hard to change this scenario," Sultana Kamal said.
The guests formally announced the inauguration by lighting candles at the event.
The second session of the evening featured group presentations by children of several recitation organisations. Children of Swarakalpan performed their production Doshta Beral, directed by Mustafiz Ripon. Nongor Khelaghar Ashor presented Bhasa O Swadhinata, a collection of poems on the language Movement and Liberation War. Noted recitation artiste Hasan Arif directed the presentation. Directed by Pragna Laboni, Muktakantha Abritti Academy (children's section) presented their production Flo Jo Bo Ro Lo next.
ShishuTirtha of Kanthasheelan presented Abol Tabol and Kendriyo Kochi Kanchar Mela performed Hingshuti by Sukumar Roy.
On April 3, Abritti Academy staged their award winning production Surja Dighal Bari, adapted from the classic novel by Abu Ishak.
Today, this year's Sawrkalpan Shommanona Padak will be announced. Mustafa Monwar will be the chief guest at the event while Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra's Ashraful Alam and recitation artiste Hasan Arif will be present as special guests.