“This is the highest form of honour …”

Legendary Nazrul singer Firoza Begum was born on July 27, 1926 and passed away on September 9, 2014. After her passing, Dhaka University (DU) had taken the initiative of annually presenting a nationally noted artiste with the 'Firoza Begum Smriti Swarno Padak' (Firoza Begum Commemorative Gold Medal).

On July 27 - what would have been Firoza Begum's 91st birthday, the medal was awarded to celebrated Rabindra Sangeet singer and Chairperson of the Dance Department in DU, Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, at the Senate Bhaban in the university's premises.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique was present as the chief guest at the programme, while Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Dr. Abu Mohd Delwar Hossain was present as the special guest. The event was attended by many artistes and personalities, including Firoza Begum's family members and sons, Shafin and Hamin Ahmed.

The event began with a presentation of songs and dance by students of Music and Dance Departments. A welcome speech was then given by the chairman of ACI Foundation, M Anis Ud Dowla, where he spoke about the legacy of Firoza Begum. Dr. Arefin Siddique then presented the medal to Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya. Jannatul Ferdous, the student with the highest CGPA from the Music Department, was also called upon stage to receive her medal.

 “For an artiste, any kind of award, recognition, or respect, from anywhere or anyone, is I believe the highest form of achievement. Today I have been paid one of the highest forms of honour, and that is because of the woman this medal is named after. Since I was a child, I was always a listener and admirer of her songs. Rabindranath had said the true mark of an artiste is in their self-control and simplicity, to be able to give as much as is required. And Firoza Begum understood that very well. She understood the characters of every song before she sang them. To be able to receive the award named after such a legendary Nazrul singer is an immense privilege for me,” said the eminent Tagore exponent.

AAMS Arefin Siddique expressed his gratitude towards Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya in being a torch-bearer of carrying the nation forward through art, and spoke about the necessity of promoting arts and culture as a responsibility towards the youth. After a vote of thanks by the chairperson of the Music Department Dr. Mohsina Akter Khanam, the programme concluded with another musical performance by the awardees - first Jannatual Ferdous after which the blissful voice of Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya filled the air at the Senate Bhaban, leaving everyone who attended in a spell of melodies.