The Bangladesh Film Journalists Association (Bachsas) held a special gathering titled ‘Poetry, Pitha and Songs: Milone-Anonde Amader Guneejan’ on Friday (28 August), bringing together the association’s renowned poets and lyricists at the Chitrashala Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The event featured original poetry recitations by the poets, while popular singers from the music industry performed songs written by Bachsas’ lyricists. Members and guests also enjoyed traditional pitha alongside the poetry and music.
Hosted by Bachsas president Kamrul Hasan Darpan, the programme featured original poems by poets Atahar Khan, Shihab Sarkar, Mahmud Shafik, Hasan Hafiz, Shamima Chowdhury, Dildar Hossain, Shanta Maria, Dulal Khan, Saeed Ahmed Khan, Selina Shyuli and Dipankar Dipak. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general and poet Rezauddin Stalin attended as a special guest, delivering a greeting speech and reciting his own poetry.
Led by president Kamrul Hasan Darpan and general secretary Rahat Saiful, the current executive committee presented each poet with a commemorative crest and a copy of Bachsas’ own magazine, Bachsas Voice.
The distinguished poets, all Bachsas members, also shared memories of the association’s history and their experiences as journalists in their speeches. Their recollections enriched the gathering, while their recitations added to the event’s appeal.
Songs written by Bachsas’ noted lyricist members Shahabuddin Majumdar, Zahid Akbar, Mahmud Manzur, Robiul Islam Jibon, Rozaur Rahman Rizvi, Tarek Ananda, Omar Faruk and Ashik Bondhu were performed by Kaniz Suborna, Kamruzzaman Rabbi, Kazi Shuvo, Nodi, Raisa Khan, Muhammad Milon and Abhi Talukder.
The combination of poetry, music and pitha created a festive atmosphere throughout the event. Bachsas members and prominent figures from the cultural sector described the gathering as an unusual initiative, saying such events celebrating distinguished members are rarely seen. They congratulated and thanked the current executive committee for organising the programme, while Bachsas members also praised the initiative on social media.
Among the invited guests were acclaimed filmmaker Chotku Ahmed, Liton Ershad, secretary general of Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa) and a Bachsas member, Film Directors Association president Shaheen Suman, Television Reporters Unity of Bangladesh (TRAB) president Kader Mansur, Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association (BCRA) president Monirul Islam, Film Artists Association vice-president D A Tayeb and actress Rumana Islam Mukti, along with other artistes and film professionals. They praised Bachsas for the initiative and the event.
