Cumilla (North) Correspondent

A grand cultural evening was held at the Cumilla District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium on Friday evening to foster the rich heritage of Bengali culture and spread healthy artistic values at the grassroots level.

The colourful event was organized to mark the arrival of the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, in the district.

The program was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) Cumilla City unit, local artists, and various cultural organizations. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Member of Parliament for the Cumilla-6 constituency, Monirul Haque Chowdhury, attended as the key speaker. Director General of the Department of Archaeology Sabina Alam was present as a special guest.

Among other prominent political and cultural leaders present were Udbatul Bari Abu, Chairman of the Cumilla North Authority and President of Cumilla City BNP; Yusuf Molla Tipu, Convener of Cumilla City Corporation and General Secretary of Cumilla City BNP; Ashikur Rahman Mahmud Wasim, General Secretary of BNP Cumilla South District Unit; and Javed Ahmed Masud, Joint Convener of the Jasas Central Committee. The event was presided over by Dr. Afshan Anis, President of Jasas Cumilla City unit, and conducted by its General Secretary, Shahidul Haque Sohail.

Addressing the gathering, Cultural Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said, "Culture is the mirror of a nation. We must foster the development of a healthy cultural practice that embodies our rich history, traditions, and the spirit of the July Movement. Cultural organizations like Jasas must work hand in hand to attract the younger generation to our indigenous culture amid the influx of foreign subcultures.

Key speaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury, MP, recalled the glorious cultural and political history of Cumilla, emphasizing that a merit-based society can only be built by patronizing talented artists and evaluating them at the national level.

The program commenced with recitations from the holy scriptures, followed by the reception of guests, an inaugural dance, and the rendering of the national anthem. The main cultural segments included the patriotic chorus Prothom Bangladesh Amar Shesh Bangladesh, a thematic dance drama titled Cumilla Amar Cumilla, group recitations, and Nazrul's historic revolutionary song Karar Oi Louho Kopat. The audience was also enthralled by a dance performance set to legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman's timeless song Jhil Mil Jhil Mil Jhiber Jole, and a special choreography depicting the historic 'July Movement'. The successful cultural evening concluded with the presentation of awards to veteran artists and closing remarks by the chair.