A felicitation ceremony honouring distinguished personalities and a cultural programme marking the 25th anniversary of Surkunjo was held on Friday at 4:00 p.m. at the Shafiur Rahman Auditorium of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association.
The event was presided over by Professor Rahnuma Ara Khan Majlish. Mohammad Ali, a distinguished lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association, attended as the chief guest.
Special guests included Lion Hamidur Rahman, a distinguished lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court; Debraj Chowdhury, Managing Director of IT Lab Solutions; Professor Dr. Chayan Singha of PG Hospital; and Ruhul Lohani Akash, General Secretary of Jago Art Centre, Dhaka, and a vice-principal. Prominent lawyers, artists, cultural activists and distinguished representatives from various professional backgrounds also attended the programme.
The highlight of the event was a felicitation ceremony honouring internationally acclaimed violin maestro Pandit Sunil Chandra Das for his outstanding contributions to music and culture.
At the beginning of the programme, Apurba Narayan Chakraborty, Executive Head of Surkunjo and a distinguished musician, welcomed the guests and formally inaugurated the event. In his opening remarks, he reflected on Surkunjo’s journey, its various cultural initiatives and memorable milestones throughout its involvement in the country’s cultural landscape.
Special guests delivered speeches highlighting the importance of cultural activities in society. Speakers included Lion Hamidur Rahman, Professor Dr. Chayan Singha, Ruhul Lohani Akash and Abhijit De, representing IT Lab Solutions.
The distinguished guests emphasised that regular cultural programmes are essential for the development and preservation of artistic expression. They noted that Surkunjo’s silver jubilee and its 25 years of activities have established an important platform for artists and cultural enthusiasts.
They also highlighted the significant role of art and culture in fostering healthy intellectual and emotional development. According to the speakers, cultural activities help nurture harmony, humanity and positive values among people. Completing 25 years is a proud achievement for any organisation, they observed, adding that organisations such as Surkunjo play a vital role in strengthening the relationship between people and the arts. The guests wished the organisation continued growth and success.
Upon receiving the honour, renowned violinist Pandit Sunil Chandra Das expressed his gratitude to the organisers. He remarked that an artist’s responsibility is to bring joy and a sense of beauty into people’s hearts through artistic practice. He described the recognition, received after a long career in the cultural arena, as a source of happiness and inspiration. He also congratulated Surkunjo on its 25th anniversary and wished the organisation continued success in the years ahead.
In her presidential address, Professor Rahnuma Ara Khan Majlish said that Surkunjo had played an important role in the development of art and culture throughout its 25-year journey. She expressed optimism that the organisation would continue its cultural initiatives and work to engage the younger generation more actively in artistic and cultural pursuits.
Following the speeches and discussion session, an engaging cultural programme was presented, featuring a variety of musical performances, dance and other artistic presentations.
With the participation of renowned artists, performers, cultural enthusiasts, lawyers and guests from diverse professional backgrounds, the programme became a lively and festive celebration of Surkunjo’s 25-year journey and its contributions to the cultural community.
