Rabindranath and Nazrul was our inspiration during Liberation War

Ansar Ahmed Ullah

The Bangladesh High Commission in London celebrated ‘Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti’ to mark the 157th birth anniversary of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore and the 119th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the Impression Auditorium in East London on Friday evening 20 July.

H.E. Mr Md Nazmul Quaunine, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, chaired the event which was attended by, among others, diplomats from different Missions based in London, eminent members of the community, journalists, businessmen, media, academia, and cultural activists. Mr Sultan Mahmud Shariff, President of the UK Awami League was present at the event as the Special Guest.

In his welcome address, H.E. the High Commissioner highlighted the contributions and inspiration of two great literary personalities. He said that the literary works of Rabindranath and Nazrul gave us the lessons of humanity, generosity, non-communalism, nationalism and the spirit of the Liberation War. Having mentioned the patronisation of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by bringing Nazrul Islam to newly-independent Bangladesh from India in 1972, the High Commissioner stated that the daughter of Bangabandhu Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also been patronising and promoting the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam.

The discussion was followed by a cultural evening in which Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, recitations, and classical dances were performed by renowned singers and artistes from the British-Bengali community to showcase the rich heritage of Bangladesh.