Special Correspondent :
Shahnaz Rahmatullah, the singing bird of Bangladesh, was awarded Friday the gold medal by Manik Mia Foundation for her lifetime outstanding performance and unparallel contribution in the field of music.
The award giving ceremony at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel was presided over by Chairman of the Foundation and Chairman of The New Nation Editorial Board Barrister Mainul Hosein, the eldest son Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the pioneer of country’s journalism.
Former Chief Justice KM Hassan, who was present at the occasion as the Chief Guest, handed over the ‘Manik Mia Gold Medal -2017’ and a cheque of Tk 50, 000 to the artiste on behalf of the Foundation.
Justice Hasan also lauded the eminent singer for her lifetime contribution. “I’m one of millions of her fans across the country. I like to appreciate Manik Mia Foundation for the special honour by giving me an opportunity to hand over the gold medal to the popular singer.”
A citation was presented by Barrister Mainul Hosein and Vice-Chairman of the Foundation and Chairperson of The Robbar Publications Limited Saju Hosein to Shahnaz which was read out by Foundation’s Secretary General Syed Tosharaf Ali detailing the contributions that enriched the country’s cultural heritage.
Noted music specialist and Vice Chancellor of Cambrian University Dr Karunamoya Goswami, eminent poet and journalist Al Mujahidi and renowned columnist
Mahbub Kamal spoke about the illustrious musical career of the legendry artiste.
Although Shahnaz Rahmatullah now does not perform on the stage for some personal complications, she sang two of her all-time classics at the request of the Barrister Mainul Hosein — “Khola janalay cheye dekhi” and “Tomar agune porano O duti chokhe”, which enthralled the audience.
Shahnaz expressed her gratitude to the Manik Mia Foundation for providing support to the artistes and cultural personalities. “I’m no more involved in the field of music now. But in my entire lifetime, I didn’t see such a fan of mine like him [Barrister Mainul], who has preserved some of my rare video songs which were recorded in DIT Building [the then television bhaban] in the 1960s.”
Barrister Hosein felt the need of more patriotic songs like those of Shahnaz. “Our problem is lack of understanding of patriotism. We are too selfish which is not good for oneself. We need to be inspired by the patriots. If we could be less selfish there would not have been so many problems in living together peacefully.”
Barrister Mainul Hosein also said: “I’m honoured and also feeling proud that she is singing here for me! …It is true that I’m a great fan of her. I’ve no compulsion to admit that I’m fascinated by her songs. At the same time, I feel proud getting an opportunity to honour the great artiste through the Manik Mia Foundation.”
Referring to Shahnaz’s patriotic songs, Barrister Mainul Hosein said: “Her patriotic songs are still unparallel. I think, such types of songs should be sung more and more….”
Mentioning the mission and vision of the Manik Mia Foundation, he further said: “The Foundation is not only for the welfare of journalists, it will also extend its support for the wellbeing of the intellectual society members, including poet, performer and artiste.”
In the Introducing speech, Al Mujahidi said: “Shahnaz Rahmatullah is not only renowned in the subcontinent but also in different countries across the globe for her wonderful songs…I hope the efforts of the Manik Mia Foundation will continue to patronise such talented performers in the future.”
Recalling his childhood memories, Mahabub Kamal said: “I’m a life-long fan of the lady who mesmerized millions of audiences in the last 50 years by her classic songs. From my childhood, I was fond of her music, the lesson which I had got from my mother.”
Former diplomat and veteran politician Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury Bir Bikram and Manik Mia’s grandson Arshad Hosein, Managing Editor of The New Nation, and Architect Helal Islam Khan, the CEO of The New Nation, were also present on the occasion.
To pay homage to Shahnaz Rahmatullah, renowned artistes Ferdous Ara, Shuvra Dev, Ankhi Alamgir, Alam Ara Minu and Rumana Islam graced the stage to enthrall the audience, most of the elite society members, by performing some timeless classics.
Besides, Seema Islam recited Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Ami” in the honour of Shahnaz.
In the mid-1960s, Shahnaz Begum emerged as a singer in Dhaka. She sang in different Bangladeshi and Pakistani films in her glorious career. Though her main area of singing was modern songs, she made her distinction in patriotic songs.
In late 1960s and early 1970s, she sang patriotic songs such as Joy Bangla Banglar Joy, Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chhotto Sonar Gaye, Je Chhilo Drishtir Shimanay and Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha.
She got various prestigious awards including, Ekushey Padak, National Film Award, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award and Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity Award during her excellent career.
Late actor Zafar Iqbal and music director Anwar Parvez are Shahnaz’s brothers.
Manik Mia Foundation’s Secretary General Syed Tosharaf Ali moderated the function.
Shahnaz Rahmatullah, the singing bird of Bangladesh, was awarded Friday the gold medal by Manik Mia Foundation for her lifetime outstanding performance and unparallel contribution in the field of music.
The award giving ceremony at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel was presided over by Chairman of the Foundation and Chairman of The New Nation Editorial Board Barrister Mainul Hosein, the eldest son Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the pioneer of country’s journalism.
Former Chief Justice KM Hassan, who was present at the occasion as the Chief Guest, handed over the ‘Manik Mia Gold Medal -2017’ and a cheque of Tk 50, 000 to the artiste on behalf of the Foundation.
Justice Hasan also lauded the eminent singer for her lifetime contribution. “I’m one of millions of her fans across the country. I like to appreciate Manik Mia Foundation for the special honour by giving me an opportunity to hand over the gold medal to the popular singer.”
A citation was presented by Barrister Mainul Hosein and Vice-Chairman of the Foundation and Chairperson of The Robbar Publications Limited Saju Hosein to Shahnaz which was read out by Foundation’s Secretary General Syed Tosharaf Ali detailing the contributions that enriched the country’s cultural heritage.
Noted music specialist and Vice Chancellor of Cambrian University Dr Karunamoya Goswami, eminent poet and journalist Al Mujahidi and renowned columnist
Mahbub Kamal spoke about the illustrious musical career of the legendry artiste.
Although Shahnaz Rahmatullah now does not perform on the stage for some personal complications, she sang two of her all-time classics at the request of the Barrister Mainul Hosein — “Khola janalay cheye dekhi” and “Tomar agune porano O duti chokhe”, which enthralled the audience.
Shahnaz expressed her gratitude to the Manik Mia Foundation for providing support to the artistes and cultural personalities. “I’m no more involved in the field of music now. But in my entire lifetime, I didn’t see such a fan of mine like him [Barrister Mainul], who has preserved some of my rare video songs which were recorded in DIT Building [the then television bhaban] in the 1960s.”
Barrister Hosein felt the need of more patriotic songs like those of Shahnaz. “Our problem is lack of understanding of patriotism. We are too selfish which is not good for oneself. We need to be inspired by the patriots. If we could be less selfish there would not have been so many problems in living together peacefully.”
Barrister Mainul Hosein also said: “I’m honoured and also feeling proud that she is singing here for me! …It is true that I’m a great fan of her. I’ve no compulsion to admit that I’m fascinated by her songs. At the same time, I feel proud getting an opportunity to honour the great artiste through the Manik Mia Foundation.”
Referring to Shahnaz’s patriotic songs, Barrister Mainul Hosein said: “Her patriotic songs are still unparallel. I think, such types of songs should be sung more and more….”
Mentioning the mission and vision of the Manik Mia Foundation, he further said: “The Foundation is not only for the welfare of journalists, it will also extend its support for the wellbeing of the intellectual society members, including poet, performer and artiste.”
In the Introducing speech, Al Mujahidi said: “Shahnaz Rahmatullah is not only renowned in the subcontinent but also in different countries across the globe for her wonderful songs…I hope the efforts of the Manik Mia Foundation will continue to patronise such talented performers in the future.”
Recalling his childhood memories, Mahabub Kamal said: “I’m a life-long fan of the lady who mesmerized millions of audiences in the last 50 years by her classic songs. From my childhood, I was fond of her music, the lesson which I had got from my mother.”
Former diplomat and veteran politician Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury Bir Bikram and Manik Mia’s grandson Arshad Hosein, Managing Editor of The New Nation, and Architect Helal Islam Khan, the CEO of The New Nation, were also present on the occasion.
To pay homage to Shahnaz Rahmatullah, renowned artistes Ferdous Ara, Shuvra Dev, Ankhi Alamgir, Alam Ara Minu and Rumana Islam graced the stage to enthrall the audience, most of the elite society members, by performing some timeless classics.
Besides, Seema Islam recited Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Ami” in the honour of Shahnaz.
In the mid-1960s, Shahnaz Begum emerged as a singer in Dhaka. She sang in different Bangladeshi and Pakistani films in her glorious career. Though her main area of singing was modern songs, she made her distinction in patriotic songs.
In late 1960s and early 1970s, she sang patriotic songs such as Joy Bangla Banglar Joy, Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chhotto Sonar Gaye, Je Chhilo Drishtir Shimanay and Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha.
She got various prestigious awards including, Ekushey Padak, National Film Award, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award and Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity Award during her excellent career.
Late actor Zafar Iqbal and music director Anwar Parvez are Shahnaz’s brothers.
Manik Mia Foundation’s Secretary General Syed Tosharaf Ali moderated the function.
