A cultural evening titled ‘Shono Ahoban’ was held on Friday (May 8) in Dhaka, organised by Joltaranga at the Isfendiyar Zahid Hasan Auditorium of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro. The event was dedicated to supporting and respecting women’s dignity and equal rights.
The programme featured a blend of songs and poetry highlighting the lives of women in Bengal. Coinciding with the 165th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the evening opened with two of his songs, ‘Sobare Kori Ahoban’ and ‘Songkocher Bihobolota’, as a tribute to the poet.
The event then continued with more Tagore songs alongside traditional and contemporary works, including poetry and compositions by Kazi Nazrul Islam, Salil Chowdhury and others.
Alongside Joltaranga’s regular performers, guest artists included orator and freedom fighter Dalia Ahmed and Everest climber Nishat Majumder, who recited poetry during the programme. Dalia Ahmed recited Nazrul Islam’s poem ‘Nari’, while Nishat Majumder recited Tagore’s ‘Opomanito’.
Their performances, along with the ensemble presentations by Jaltaranga artists, added a reflective tone to the evening.
The event also marked a moment of recognition for Japao Murung, a woman from the Mro community, who recently became the first woman from her community to gain admission to Dhaka University. She was present at the programme alongside the guest performers.
Dalia Ahmed, Nishat Majumder and Japao Murung were honoured with flowers and greetings during the event.
The programme was managed by Zakir Hossain Tapan and Tanvira Ashraf Shyama.
