On January 3, noted Nazrul singer Dr. Nashid Kamal had a solo concert in Los Angeles, USA, says a press release. Organised by Bangla Academy, the first half of the show was dedicated to National Poet Kazi Nazul Islam and his versatility; the second half featured a repertoire of folk songs.

From the late 1960s Shabnam Mushtari has emerged as one of the major stars in Nazrul songs. Here are excerpts from a conversation with her.

Why is it important for an artiste to conceive of the true meaning of a song?

Shabnam Mushtari

Clockwise (from top) artiste Samina Chowdhury, Arnob and Kiran Chandra Roy perform at the programme

Luva Nahid Chowdhury, managing director of Bengal Foundation, termed the evening "an informal ashor". There was however, a raison d'être. Going over a proposed album of Nazrul Sangeet.

The fresh approach would be a collection of Nazrul songs by artistes who have attained popularity in other genres with music arrangement by Arnob. Bengal Music will produce the album.

As the nation celebrates the 109th birth anniversary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the market of Nazrul Sangeet is going through a gradual decline. Over the last few years, the number of albums featuring Nazrul Sangeet was few and far between. However, production houses are trying to find a way to deal with this issue.

Lina Taposhi's album, Choiti Chander Alo, released by Agniveena, a sister concern of Geetanjoly and Nasima Shaheen's solo album, Akashe Bhorer Tara, produced by Bengal Foundation

To mark the 109th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad will hold a three-day National Nazrul Sangeet Congress at the Central Public Library, beginning on May 19.

"The programme will feature music, recitation and dance," said Ferdousi Rahman at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city on Thursday.

Kazi Nazrul Islam