Nazrul exponents at the seminar. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

A seminar titled “Nazrul Sangeet Across the World” was held at the seminar room of Nazrul Institute, in the capital on March 4. Music school Surshaptak organised the seminar. Noted Nazrul Sangeet Artiste Ferdous Ara emceed the event.
Among others, eminent Nazrul exponent and artiste Sudhin Das,  Nazrul exponent, researcher and chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board, Professor Rafiqul Islam, Dr. Gulshan Ara Kazi, Kazi Shahjahan Belal [of Taranga of California, USA], noted poet Nurul Huda, noted Nazrul artistes Sadya Afreen Mallick and Ferdous Ara, Dr. Rafiqul Mohammed, writer Salma Bani, poet and deputy director of Nazrul Institute Rezauddin Stalin spoke at the seminar.
Fahmi Ferdous, daughter of Ferdous Ara, presented the keynote paper on behalf of her mother while Ferdous Ara rendered a few Nazrul songs including “Durgam Giri Kantar Moru”, “Shukno Patar Nupur”, and more, in between the delivery of the paper.
The main objective of the seminar was to introduce and diffuse the versatile excellence of Nazrul Sangeet amongst the Bengali speaking people across the world.
In his speech, Sudhin Das focused on the past and present state of Nazrul sangeet practiced in Bangladesh. 

Ferdous Ara and Dr. Gulshan Ara Kazi at the event. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

“After Nazrul fell victim to a neurological illness in 1942, distortion of his compositions became rampant, mostly in West Bengal, India. We took steps to stop this and formulated the swaralipi. Now, Bangladeshi singers can render Nazrul sangeet by the proper tune. To diffuse and disseminate Nazrul Sangeet, we must follow the swaralipi published by Nazrul Institute. If we are to take Nazrul Sangeet to the global stage, we must formulate staff notations of Nazrul Sangeet, and I think Nazrul Institute can play a great role in materialising it,” said Sudhin Das.
Professor Rafiqul Islam echoed the view of Sudhin Das. He said, “Prior to reaching a global level, we have to practice, promote and popularise Nazrul sangeet in Bangladesh. Nazrul Sangeet artistes must render the bard's songs through following proper tune and lyrics. We have to nurture new artistes who will dedicate their efforts to rendering the genre immaculately. Mass media has manifold roles to play in this regard.”
Sadya Afreen Mallick proposed several pragmatic suggestions in diffusion of Nazrul Sangeet across the country. She said, “As Kazi Nazrul Islam is our National Poet, we must think of disseminating his works, especially his songs at the national level. All school, college and university students, including those who study at private institutions, should compulsorily learn ten Nazrul songs every year. If all Nazrul artistes take the initiative of arranging a class of Nazrul Sangeet in public at Suhrawardy Udyan, we will take classes where students will learn and then render aloud songs like 'Durgam Giri', 'Joy Houk Satyer Jot Houk' and 'Karar Oi Louho Kopat'. In such a format, we can move to all the divisional and district level to teach students Nazrul Sangeet. Eventually, we can take Nazrul to where he belongs -- beyond borders and on to the global stage.”
Later, Nazrul exponent Idris Ali displayed a visual presentation of staff notations of two Nazrul Sangeet “Karar Oi Louho Kopat” and “Jago Nari Jago Bonhishikha”.