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A helping hand to ailing artistes

"Shilpi'r Pashe Foundation" launched

Staff Correspondent
In a bid to offer support to ailing or terminally ill artistes, November 19 saw the inaugural ceremony of the launching of Shilpi'r Pashey Foundation at The Westin Dhaka. The initiative has been taken by DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq, and under the theme 'Shilpi'r Pashey Amra Shobai" (that translates to "All of us beside artistes"), the venue witnessed a big turnout of distinguished artistes and other esteemed guests who expressed their solidarity with the cause.
The trustee board of the foundation includes 19 members, with Dr. Anisuzzaman as chairman, and Anjan Chowdhury as vice chairman; Mayor Annisul Huq; Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor; Mustofa Monowar; Ferdausi Rahman; chairman of Bengal Foundation Abul Khair; Aly Zaker; Faridur Reza Sagor; FBCCI president Abdul Madub Ahmad; Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed; Selina Hossain; Dr. Zafar Iqbal, and others comprise the remaining members.
Eminent musical personalities Alauddin Ali and Lucky Akhand who are currently undergoing treatment, were the first recipients of the foundation's monetary aid of Taka 40 lacs and Taka 20 lacs respectively.
along with yesteryears adhunik and playback singer Shammi Akher receiving funds of Taka 10 lacs. A frail Lucky Akhand came up on stage in a wheelchair with his band Happy Touch, and as he began singing his hit "Agey Jodi Jantam", all the other senior musicians and guests present at the event stood by him singing the song in chorus, in an emotional, symbolic picture of support for the artiste.
Mayor Annisul Huq delivered the welcome speech, describing the motives behind the foundation as well as what he hopes to see it deliver in the future. "After witnessing the deteriorating health of Lucky Akhand and Alauddin Ali - two of the brightest names of our music industry, I wondered if fellow artistes could gather together to help such important personalities of our country. It is with great pride that I can say that we are all gathered here today, from different parts of the world and different artistic backgrounds, in a united goal."
TV personality Abdun Noor Tushar said that one of the financial problems artistes face is the irregular distribution of royalties for their creations, and the foundation offers to alleviate such issues. Various organisations that offered their support to the foundation include BGMEA, Berger Paints Bangladesh
Ltd; British American Tobacco Ltd; BRB Cable Industries Ltd; Bengal Croup; Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd; City Croup of Industries Ltd; S. Alam Croup Chittagong; Monno Ceramics; M. Alam Croup Chittagong; Nitol Niloy Croup; Orion Croup of Industries; Apon Jewellers; Padma Croup; Walton Croup of Industries; Messrs Asif Tailors and many more. Other sponsors who have donated to the foundation are BRAC, BRAC Bank Ltd, Hamim Croup, Clobe Croup of Industries, Standard Bank Ltd, MR Croup, Apex Tannery, Royal Croup, Nipon Ceramics, Diamond World, Maasranga Television, New Asia Limited, Jamuna Bank Ltd, Pran RFL Croup Industries, and many more. He also added that interested people are free to donate to the foundation as well.
Veteran singer Ferdausi Rahman shared a few words at the event, saying, "I am sincerely grateful as an artiste for this initiative, for it truly shows how much our life's work is valued. As our livelihood depends on our performances and artistic skills, it used to be a worrying thought as to what would befall the fates of artistes if they are indisposed one day. This foundation is an effort to not only support us in ill health, but it also stands as a guarantee to make sure a terrifying demise does not befall us."