Kabi Nazrul Institute observed the 119th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on May 27 at its premises in Dhanmondi in the capital. Begum Simin Hossain Rimi, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Cultural Affairs Ministry was present as the chief guest at the event. She said that Nazrul was not just a poet who waded into the rich world of literature like others. He tried to make a difference. He tried to find a path to freedom. She also noted that Nazrul was a poet of reawakening and communal tolerance. At the event a digital audio version of letters penned by Nazrul was unveiled. The audio production contains narration from fifty-seven letters written by Kazi Nazrul Islam in his lifetime. Award for special contributions were also handed over at the event. Shahnaz Sultana Ranu received the award. Special award was also given to Samjhata Mallick, president of Kolkata Chhayanaut.

Special guests at the event were poet Muhammad Nurul Huda and Samjhata Mallick, president of Kolkata Chhayanaut. Dr Soumitra Shekhar, Professor at Department of Bangla, University of Dhaka and Md Abdur Razzaque Bhuiyan, Executive Director of Kabi Nazrul Institute also spoke at the event. After the discussion and award giving sessions a cultural show followed. Celebrated artistes Chanda Chakraborty, Samjhata Mallick, Nahid Momen, Zinia Ferdous, Mandira Chowdhury, Salauddin Ahmed performed at the cultural session. n