‘Jiyonkathi Fakhrul Islam Tara Festival 2026’ was organized by ‘Srot Awrit Sangsad’. Ashraful Alam, a vocal soldier of the Independent Bangla Radio Center, a brave freedom fighter and a prominent recitation artist, inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp at 5 pm today (May 16) at the Dr. Neelima Ibrahim Auditorium of the Women’s Association on Bailey Road, Dhaka.
At the beginning of the program, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Fakhrul Islam Tara and the recently deceased cultural figure Ataur Rahman, who received the Independence Medal.
This festival is organized to preserve the memory and ideals of Fakhrul Islam Tara, a dedicated recitation artist, director of Srota Abrit Sangsad for nearly three decades and the late Chief News Producer of ATN News. As one of the attractions of the festival, the ‘Jiyonkathi Fakhrul Islam Tara Padak 2026’ has been awarded for special contribution to the recitation art based on the final decision of the jury board. This year, the prestigious medal in the institutional category has been received by the renowned recitation organization ‘Prama Abrit Sangathan’ of Chittagong, and the medal as a solo recitation artist has been received by the young recitation artist Mahmudul Hakim Tanvir.
Recitative artist Ashraful Alam said, ‘When children come into contact with art in this era of mechanization, their minds become more humane and enriched. I believe that Tara’s sense of art and ideals will convey a very positive message to the new generation.’
The festival featured recitations of poems on children’s mental psychology, childhood joy and patriotism by children from ‘Hridaya Vritti’, ‘Gendaria Kishloy Kachi Kachhar Mela’, ‘Shimuler Pathshala’, ‘Shilpavrutt’ and the host ‘Srota Avriti Sangsad’. This was followed by the popular recitation production ‘Panta Buri’ by the award-winning group ‘Prama Avriti Sangathan’ of Chittagong. The unique fairy tales of folk Bengal and the simple lives of the working people were wonderfully portrayed on stage through the impeccable verbal performances of the director and artists.
Mahfuz Masum presided over the program and Masuduzzaman delivered the welcome address. The festival was attended by prominent cultural figures of the country, recitation artists, and a large number of media personnel and recitation-loving spectators.