Eminent Bangladeshi Tagore exponent and cultural activist Sanjida Khatun on her 90th anniversary of the birth said that her childhood wish to work for everyone鈥檚 well-being had come to fruition and she was blessed to have led a simple life.
Sanjida Khatun, president of Chhayanaut, made the remark while speaking at a programme organised to celebrate her 90th anniversary of the birth by Chhayanaut at its auditorium in Dhanmondi in the capital on Tuesday.
Sanjida Khatun said that ninety years of her life passed and she thought about how she wanted to live her life and how it turned out.
鈥楳y childhood wish was to work for everyone鈥檚 well-being and that wish has come to fruition. I feel that my life has become meaningful by working for children, for the country and for the Bengali nation. I am blessed to have led a simple life,鈥� said Sanjida Khatun while recounting her journey.
She began taking singing lessons from famous thumri singer Ustad Mohammad Hossain at the age of five and gradually started singing at different programmes aired on radio and TV. While organising a regular musical programme titled Shrotar Asar of Chhayanaut, she realised that there was lack of musicians in the country. She joined Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan, which was founded with the aim to change the situation.
She also said that Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad played a great role in spreading music.
鈥楢fter the bomb attack at Ramna Batamul during Pahela Baishakh celebrations in 2001, our complacence regarding benefits of cultural activities received a huge blow. It was revealed that there is a scarcity of education that can shape students as complete human beings,鈥� mentioned Sanjida Khatun.
She said that a new movement to shape students as complete human beings by incorporating culture in teaching began at that time and Nalonda High School was established for the purpose of educating children.
The programme organised by Chhayanaut featured commemorative speeches and cultural performances.
Artistes paid tribute to Sanjida Khatun presenting dance recitals, songs, recitation and others.
Chhayanaut executive president Sarwar Ali delivered a commemorative speech at the celebration programme.
He said, 鈥楽anjida Khatun, our beloved Minu Apa, has completed ninety years today. Although her body has been little weakened by age, it is our fortune that she is active in intellectual practice and thought.鈥�
鈥楾his is good news not only for Chhayanaut, Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad and Nalonda, but also for all those who are interested in building a culturally rich humane society,鈥� added Sarwar Ali.
The cultural programme, which featured classical music, songs, recitations and dance recitals, began with Abhijit Kundu鈥檚 classical music performance.
Chhayanaut artistes sang group Tagore song, namely Dwanilo Ahaban Madhur Gambhir and Shah Abdul Karim鈥檚 song Gramer Naojowan. Besides, Fahmida Khatun rendered Klanto Bnashir Shesh Ragini, Laisa Ahmed Lisa sang Aami Tomar Sange Bnedhechhi Aamar Pran, Chandana Majumdar sang Amare Ki Rakhben Gurur Charandasi and Suman Majumder rendered Ogo Nithur Daradi, among others.
Sanjida Khatun also rendered a part of Tagore song titled Eso Eso Hey Trishnar Jol during her speech.
Besides, different cultural organisations and individuals, namely Panchabhaskar, Kanthashilan, Kallanparampara, women鈥檚 activist organisation Naripokkho and others wished Sanjida Khatun with flower bouquets during the programme.
Born on April 4, 1933, Sanjida Khatun received Ekushe Padak in 1991, Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1998, Rabindra Award in 2010 and others for her contributions.
Besides, she received India鈥檚 fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2021.