RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY, Jun 21: Rajshahi University (RU), the second largest educational institution across the country, which not only has a long and glorious tradition in education also enjoys a great cultural background over 60 years since its inception.
Established in 1953, RU undertook to keep up the standard of cultural performance although there was no well structured residential hall or auditorium. So the cultural programmes were arranged only occasionally at the campus.
The family members of teachers and students of RU participated in different cultural events in the campus. Eventually cultural activities were to become a part and parcel of the social movement at the university ground for the enlightenment of the masses.
In 1961, during the political turmoil under the military regime, a cultural group of the students was formed by such teachers of the university as Hasan Azizul Hoque, Shishir Kumar Bhattacharjee,Ghulam Murshid and others.
Known as 'Sundaram', this group specialised in Tagore songs and performed on a number of occasions with musical programmes based on Tagore's seasonal songs.
In 1970 Tagore's dance drama 'Shyama' was staged and an audio version of the musical drama 'Shaap Mochan' was performed in early 1971 by students of the university.
There was, however, a complete blackout of cultural activities in the campus during the war of liberation. But soon after our victory vigorous cultural activities resumed.
Following the independence war in 1971, Nurul Islam, a student of the university organised a club called 'Shurjo Shishu' for which he built up a small library and arranged regular musical training for the children.
Starting from 1979 quite a number of groups emerged specialising in music, drama, reciting and debate.
Of these, Nattyo Duar, Rajshahi University Drama Association (RUDA), Teerthok, University Theatre, Onusheelon, Shomokaal, Association of Culture and Education (ACE), are groups fully devoted to drama. Each of these organisation have 25-40 productions to their credit.
Udichi Shilpi Goshthee and Bikolpo Sangskritik Goshthee are groups with multidimensional activities.
Gonoshilpi Shongstha, Oroni, Onirban, Abohman and Bangobondhu Sangshkritik Jote specialise in music and musical drama. Besides Adibashi Students Association of Rajshahi University (ASARU) lays emphasis on Adibashee culture.
