Tagore University of Creative Arts (TUCA) has inaugurated a ‘Nazrul Corner’ at its National Professor Anisuzzaman-Writer Begum Rabeya Khatun Central Library to mark the 50th death anniversary of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and the observance of Nazrul Year. The corner is intended to give students, faculty members and researchers greater opportunities for sustained reading, study and engagement with Nazrul’s literature, music, philosophy and creative legacy, according to a media release.
The inauguration was followed by ‘Srijone Nazrul’, a discussion and cultural programme focusing on Nazrul’s creative and intellectual legacy. Students from TUCA’s departments of Theatre, Music, Dance and Fashion Design participated in the cultural segment with theatrical performances, solo and group songs, dance and a fashion show.
Among the guests were renowned Nazrul Sangeet exponent Ferdous Ara; Professor Rahmat Ali and Professor Wahida Mallik Jolly, retired faculty members of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Dhaka; Habibur Rahman Khan, founder of Ashirbad Chalachitra; Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi (Retd); Farzana Rashid Brownia, Founder and Chairman of Shornokishore Network Foundation; Bir Bikrom; Mushtaq Ibn Ayub, academic and researcher; and television presenter Dipty Chowdhury.
The programme was chaired by Robin Khan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TUCA.
Speakers at the discussion reflected on the contemporary relevance of Nazrul’s ideals of equality, humanity, freedom of thought and secularism. They said his legacy should extend beyond commemorative occasions and be sustained through reading, research and cultural practice. They expressed hope that the Nazrul Corner would develop into an institutional space for continued intellectual and creative engagement.
Ferdous Ara was presented with a special honour in recognition of her contribution to Nazrul Sangeet.
Robin Khan said in a media release that the Nazrul Corner would give students an opportunity to engage more deeply with Kazi Nazrul Islam’s literature, music, philosophy and humanistic ideals. He said it would also help bring Nazrul’s legacy of humanism and free thought into meaningful conversation with a new generation within an environment of creative education.
Professor Dr Md Rafiul Islam, Honorary Academic Adviser to TUCA and Chairman of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Dhaka; Md Monirul Islam Rintu, Registrar of TUCA; heads of academic departments, faculty members, students and senior university officials were also present.
TUCA is a private university in Bangladesh approved by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the University Grants Commission. Established in 2016, the university says it is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of education, culture, social development and creative practice.
The university currently offers honours programmes in Music, Theatre, Fashion Design, Dance and Business Administration.
