"Nazrul Utsav 2022", a two-day festival honouring the work of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, began at the capital's Gulshan Society Lake Park yesterday.  

The event, organised by Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha, Arunaranjani, and Gulshan Society, also commemorates the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. HSBC is the title sponsor of the festival.

The event celebrates the life of the poet by bringing together artistes from both the Bengals.

Ekushey Padak-winning Nazrul Sangeet exponent Khairul Anam Shakil, also general secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha, is the festival's convener.

The festival is dedicated to the memory of National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam, one of the most distinguished researchers on Kazi Nazrul Islam. His widow, Jahanara Islam, spoke on the occasion.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the festival as chief guest.

Eminent actor and lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor, Liberation War Museum Trustee Dr Sarwar Ali, Founder Trustee of the Liberation War Museum Mofidul Hoque, Bangla Academy director general and poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, HSBC's Country Head of Wealth and Personal Banking Ahmed Saiful Islam, Gulshan Society President Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, along with Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam, were present at the festival as distinguished guests.   

An audio anthology of 125 Nazrul songs, performed in strict accordance with authentic lyrics and compositions by seasoned veterans and emerging artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal, was released at the event. In addition, an online archive consisting of 2,000 to 2,200 songs by Nazrul in authentic form was launched, which is available free of cost.

The two-day festival features performances of Nazrul Sangeet by noted artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal.