Nazrul Award 2017 conferred

Ferdous Ara

This year's Nazrul Award was conferred yesterday to three reputed Nazrul singers and researchers - Ferdous Ara, Fatema Tuz Zohra and Dr. Leena Taposhi Khan. Like every year, the Cultural Affairs Ministry and Nazrul Institute honoured the artistes working to disperse the work of Nazrul among the masses and award them with the prestigious award. 

On getting the award, Ferdous Ara says, “Any award is a source of encouragement for anyone. The fact that the Cultural Affairs Ministry and Nazrul Institute have selected me for this award not only makes me very proud, but also shows that I now have a larger responsibility towards Nazrul and the people of my country. This award encourages me to work harder and better.”

Fatema Tuz Zohra, on the other hand, says “This award is special. It is only for those who work with Nazrul, and to anyone who does, this award means a lot to them. Obviously, as a Nazrul singer, I want Nazrul to keep getting recognition and through getting this award I once again get that opportunity. I believe since I began singing, I have been carrying out my responsibility towards Nazrul. I have tried throughout my career to highlight and bring popularity to his lesser-known songs. I never gave Nazrul the respect and recognition for my own fame or fortune; I did it solely out of passion. And it is with passion that I choose to move forward along my journey. I am very thankful to the government of Bangladesh and Nazrul Institute for thinking me apt for this award.”

Dr. Leena Taposhi Khan

Singer and Researcher, Dr. Leena Taposhi Khan has been selected for the award considering her research work on Kazi Nazrul Islam. “I feel extremely happy and proud. In a country where Muslims were not allowed to practice culture and sing, we now have Honour's, Master's and PhD degrees on music and singing. I feel that through this award, the nation has opened another door for me to disperse Nazrul among the youths through academic research and thorough studying. For any Nazrul artiste, I believe this is the highest recognition, so I am very thankful for this prestigious award.”

The award ceremony was held yesterday at the Bangladesh National Museum, marking the 41st death anniversary of the Rebel Poet.