Speakers said that national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely known as the rebel poet, promoted non-communal spirit through his works.
They made the remark at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day programme held at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum marking the 125th birth anniversary of Nazrul on Saturday.
The cultural affairs ministry has organised the three-day celebration programme comprising commemorative speeches and cultural shows.
Liberation War Museum trustee board member Mofidul Hoque delivered the commemorative speech at the inaugural ceremony.
He said that Nazrul鈥檚 works embodied the longing for the emancipation of the people and society breaking the chains of colonial subjugation.
Referring to Nazrul鈥檚 poems, namely 鈥楤idrohi鈥�, 鈥楰andari Hushiyar鈥� and others, Mofidul Hoque said that Nazrul promoted non-communal spirit through his works.
The museum鈥檚 director general Md Kamruzzaman in his welcome speech said that poems, songs and essays written by Nazrul were unique and comprised of the message of humanity and non-communal spirit.
Deputy leader of the House Matia Chowdhury was present as chief guest at the programme and inaugurated the three-day programme.
She said that Nazrul dreamed of a non-communal, discrimination-free, exploitation-free and peaceful society.
He made an immense contribution to Bangla literature and culture, said Matia Chowdhury.
Besides, Kazi Nazrul Islam鈥檚 granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi and cultural affairs secretary Khalil Ahmed were present as special guests at the programme, which was presided over by state minister for cultural affairs Nahid Izhar Khan.
Nahid Izhar Khan said that the ministry organised the programme with the slogan 鈥楴on-communal Spirit and Nazrul鈥� as the poet promoted non-communal spirit through his works.
The programme began with the rendition of the national anthem by Chhayanaut artistes.
Warda Rihab and her troupe entertained the audience staging a dance recital while singers sang songs of Nazrul.
Writer and film critic Anupam Hayat will deliver a commemorative speech on the second day and Kabi Nazrul Institute executive director AFM Hayatullah will deliver a commemorative speech on the concluding day of the programme at the same venue.
The three-day programme will end on Monday.
The birth anniversary of Nazrul is observed in Bangladesh according to the Bangla calendar on Jyaishtha 11.
Different organisations paid tribute to Nazrul placing floral wreaths at his grave beside Dhaka University Central Mosque in the morning.
Cultural affairs ministry, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other organisations placed floral wreaths at the grave of the poet at around 6:30am.
Besides, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Chhayanaut and others organised different programmes on the day at different venues in the capital.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a programme at the National Theatre Hall in the evening.
The programme featured discussion and cultural show.
The BSA secretary Salauddin Ahmed delivered welcome speech at the programme, which was presided over by the BSA director general Liaquat Ali Lucky.
Sheikh Hasina University former vice-chancellor Rafique Ullah Khan was present as the main discussant at the event, which featured performances by the music troupe, children鈥檚 troupe and dance troupe of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Fatema Tuz Zohra, Sujit Mustafa, Bizon Mistry and others sang Nazrul songs at the programme.
Chhayanaut has organised a three-day festival at its auditorium at Dhanmondi in Dhaka from May 24 to 26.
Chhayanaut鈥檚 three-day Nazrul Festival is featuring solo and group songs, dance recitals and recitations by invited artistes and Chhayanaut artistes.
Marking the 125th birth anniversary of Nazrul, Chhayanaut will launch a book titled 鈥楴azrul Sangeet: Tatya, Bhab o Surshandhan鈥� on the closing day of the festival on Sunday.
The book, edited by Mofidul Hoque, will comprise writings on 50 songs of Nazrul.
