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Homage to the nightingale Memorial programme on Feroza Begum at National Museum

Zahangir Alom
A memorial programme on recently-deceased legendary Nazrul Sangeet artiste Feroza Begum was organised by Gaanbangla TV, at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on September 30. Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor; noted jurist Barrister Rafiqul Haque; eminent cultural personalities including Kamal Lohani and Shamsuzzaman Khan; music composer Azad Rahman; renowned Nazrul singer Sadya Afreen Mallick; officials of Gaanbangla TV and Feroza Begum's family members M Asaf-ud-doula, Masih-ud-doula, Shafin Ahmed and Hamin Ahmed paid their rich tributes to the legend.
The organisers screened videos of Feroza Begum's funerals, tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar and several exclusive TV interviews. The auditorium turned a musical heaven with the recorded songs of the nightingale of Nazrul Sangeet. Several speakers including Sushmita Anis and Sadya Afreen Mallick became emotional while paying their homage. Mahmuda Akhtar read out the life sketch of Feroza Begum at the programme.
Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor paid his eloquent tribute to the legend. He said, "I was listening to others and was thinking how Feroza Begum went through multifaceted experiences of life. She was a struggling woman, an affectionate mother, an outstanding artiste and above all a great-hearted personality. She faced many untoward situations and subsequent mental stresses with
extreme patience. But she never retreated from her goals and stria principle. My fascination towards Nazrul Sangeet began with listening to her music. I was immensely touched when I first listened to her rendition. Once I interviewed her in which she shared her grievances. It bothers me immensely at how certain quarters of our country have done injustice to her. 1 apologise on their behalf.”
"We, on behalf of cultural affairs ministry, have primarily decided to bring out her illustrious biography, to preserve all her recorded songs, to archive all her stage performance videos and to publish a photo album. Meanwhile Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have been proceeding with these projects. Here, many speakers
have told about popularising Kazi Nazrul Islam, our National Poet along with holding the memory and contributions of Feroza Begum. Only her family members and her successors such as Sadya Afreen Mallick or Yasmin Mushtari cannot do so; we need a concerted effort in this respea. If we are to diffuse Nazrul Sangeet that Feroza Begum accomplished during her lifetime, we must prepare our younger generation as well. Only then can Feroza Begum be remembered with pride and as an asset of our country," added the minister.
"During the mid-sixties when she visited Dhaka, I was the general secre-taiy of Chhayanaut. I, along with then-president of Chhayanaut Waheedul Haq, organised a musical performance at Chhayanaut Bhaban by the legendary Feroza Begum. Her patriotism and
passion for Bangla language were unique. At the inaugural of the TV station at Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Feroza Begum rendered a Nazrul Sangeet defying the request to present an Urdu song. She faced immense struggle to establish Nazrul Sangeet along with her husband the unparalleled composer Kamoi Dasgupta. A personality like Feroza Begum is born once in a century. The state should take initiatives to honour her. Her music records are a treasure-trove for the forthcoming generation," said Kamal Lohani.
“At a live music programme arranged by Bongiyo Sangskriti Parishad at Maidan in 1954, Feroza Begum reaaed when she was announced as a singer of Nazrul Geeti. The organisers had to re-announce her as a Nazrul Sangeet artist. In Lahore, legendary singer Farida Khanam eulo-
gized the Feroza Begum's rendition of a Hindi Geet 'turn bhulaye na jaye' for four hours. She struggled hard to put food on the table for her children and to bear treatment expenses of the ailing Kamoi Dasgupta," said Asaf-ud-doula.
"I accompanied Feroza Apa (Feroza Begum) in the 90s at a three-month musical tour to 12 states of North America. Once in Pittsburg, we had to extend our programme for two more hours on request. Everywhere the Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani audience gave her a standing ovation. I have countless sweet memories with the legendary artiste. She would guide me and many others whenever she had the opportunity. My album 'Elo Phul-er Morshum' released from HMV in 1992 was directed by Feroza Begum. This was a unique gift in my musical career,” said Sadya Afreen Mallick.
Shafin Ahmed reminisced on his mother's memories at the event. He said, "My mother fought battles all the time and always won at the end. She sacrificed all her personal matters for others' sake.”
“I don't have the calibre to describe her artistic genius. But I would like to say once that she was an outstanding personality,” said Hamin Ahmed.
Among others, Nazrul singers Sujit Mustafa, Yasmin Mushtari, Feroza Begum's family members including her niece and disciple artiste Sushmita Anis, Rubaba-ud-Doula, CEO of GanbanglaTV Kaushik Hossain Tapash and its acting chairperson Farzana Munni spoke at the event.