From left: Sabina Yasmin, Shahanaz Rahmatullah and Zeenat Barkatullah receiving their awards. Photo: Mumit M.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) honoured seven renowned artistes -- Shah Abdul Karim, Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Shahanaz Rahmatullah, Niaz Muhammad Chowdhury, Subal Dutta and Zeenat Barkatullah on June 25, in recognition of their contribution to music and dance.
The programme was held at the Dance and Music auditorium, BSA. Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Rasheda K. Chowdhury, was the chief guest at the programme.
Mohammad Sharful Alam, secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs was present as the special guest.
Titled “Gunijon Sangbordhona 2008”, the programme was organised by the Department of Dance and Music, BSA. BSA has been honouring artistes for their contribution to music and dance since 1989.
The event was divided in two sessions. The felicitation ceremony was presided over by Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general, BSA. A cultural programme followed.
Each awardee received a crest and a cheque for Tk 10,000. Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam greeted the awardees with flowers, Rasheda K. Chowdhury presented the crests while Mohammad Sharful Islam gave away the cash prizes. Sunil Chandra Das, director, Department of Dance and Music, BSA was also present at the programme.
The award-giving ceremony started around 7:35 pm. First to receive the award was Shah Abdul Karim (the elderly folk music icon couldn't attend at the programme due to his illness). His son, Shah Noor Jalal, accepted the award on his behalf. Umena Anzalin, daughter of artiste Anjuman Ara Begum, accepted Runa Laila's award on her behalf.
Sabina Yasmin was the third awadee at the programme. Sabina said, “Awards are recognitions of an artiste's hard work and they inspire the artiste to work harder and give more.” Next was Shahanaz Rahmatullah. “An award means a lot to an artiste, but it very important that s/he receives the recognition in his/her lifetime. Artistes receiving posthumous awards are quite common nowadays. This is not a good trend,” said Shahanaz Rahmatullah. Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury's award was accepted by his son Faiyaz Muhammad Chowdhury.
The cultural programme started with a dance presentation with the Rabindra Sangeet Anandadhara bohichhey bhuboney, performed by artistes of BSA and directed by Deepa Khondokar. Fahmida Nabi, Munir Khan, Nabid Shafiullah and baul Kala Mian rendered songs at the programme. The event wrapped up with a duet dance performance by Farhana Chowdhury and Abdur Rashid. The duo danced with the Nazrul Sangeet Amaye nohey go.