TUCA celebrates nazrul year with dance competition

Tagore University of Creative Arts (TUCA) organised a dance competition and prize-giving ceremony on Tuesday as part of its celebration of Nazrul Year, highlighting the literary and cultural legacy of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The programme, organised by the university's Department of Dance, was held at the Fazlul Huq Auditorium.

Robin Khan, chairman of the university's Board of Trustees, attended the event as the chief guest.

Mina Mohammad Nazrul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Folk Culture Society, researcher and dance choreographer; Tito Munshi, a recitation artiste; and playwright Masum Reza attended as special guests.

The competition was judged by Dr Shoma Mumtaz, associate professor of the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University; Dr Sydur Rahman Lipon, head of TUCA's Department of Theatre; and Dr Md Arifur Rahman, head of the Department of Music at TUCA.

The programme was also attended by the university's Acting Treasurer AKM Delwer Hussain, FCMA; Registrar Md Monirul Islam Rintu; Head of the Department of Business Administration Sikder Md Anowarul Islam; and Director of Finance and Accounts AKM Moshiur Rahman, along with faculty members, students and senior officials.

Addressing the programme, Robin Khan said the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam were an invaluable part of the country's cultural heritage.

He stressed the need to pass on Nazrul's ideals of equality, humanity and communal harmony to the younger generation, adding that the university would continue organising cultural programmes to nurture students' talents and creativity.

Saju Ahmed, resource person of the Department of Dance, said the competition aimed to showcase the artistic richness, humanistic values and cultural diversity of Nazrul's works through dance.

Such initiatives would help enhance students' creativity and deepen their understanding of the National Poet's artistic vision, he added.

Earlier in August, TUCA established a dedicated Nazrul Corner at its National Professor Anisuzzaman-Writer Begum Rabeya Khatun Central Library to mark the 50th death anniversary of the poet.

The corner aims to encourage students, teachers and researchers to explore Nazrul's literature, music, philosophy and other creative works.