Udichi Marks 58th Anniversary at Shaheed Minar: Leaders Vow Cultural Movement Will Not Stop Despite Fire, Bombs and Mob Violence

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi celebrated its 58th founding anniversary in a colourful programme that began at 4pm on Thursday (29 October) at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the capital.

This year's anniversary slogan was 'Take back the killer thorn, this time I will take the rose'.

The first session began with the national anthem and the organisation's song, followed by hoisting of the national flag and the Udichi flag. Baul artist Sheikh Jamal Uddin (Tuntun Fakir) hoisted the national flag and Udichi central committee acting president Habibul Alam hoisted the organisation's flag.

Habibul Alam chaired the discussion. Speakers included baul artist Sheikh Jamal Uddin, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) general secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan, National Poetry Council president poet Mohan Raihan, writer and researcher Zakir Hossain, writer and researcher Sutapa Bedajna, Udichi general secretary Jamshed Anwar Tapan and Dhaka metropolitan committee general secretary Rumi Dey. Assistant general secretary Iqbalul Haque Khan conducted the inaugural session.

Speakers said culture is not only entertainment; it is also a powerful tool for raising awareness against injustice, inequality, communalism and oppression. Udichi has carried on its cultural movement for years from that sense of duty, they said.

They added that Udichi was born with the goal of struggle and has moved forward holding that pledge, though the path was never smooth and the organisation has advanced through attacks and bloody incidents at different times.

Udichi leaders vowed that neither arson, mob violence, bombs nor any other obstacle will stop the organisation's cultural movement.

Writer and researcher Sutapa Bedajna said work must be done with the new generation, understanding their language and thinking, and space for democratic self-criticism must be created inside the organisation.

Writer and researcher Zakir Hossain said Udichi has long spoken against inequality, but inequality among working people has now grown further, and lessons must also be learned from failures of movements.

Poet Mohan Raihan said the new rise of fundamentalism has increased Udichi's responsibility, and combined cultural strength through song, poetry and theatre can awaken people.

CPB general secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan emphasised the need for social revolution and cultural revolution.

Recalling past attacks, speakers said artists and cultural workers were killed in an attack on Udichi's conference in Jashore, eight artists and workers also lost their lives in Netrokona, and Udichi's central office was set on fire on 19 December last year. Despite all this, they said, the movement has not stopped.

At the programme, founding member and reciter Badrul Ahsan Khan and founding music team member Tajim Sultana were honoured. The event also featured recitation, dance and music, with recitations by Ananya Laboni Putul and Mahmudul Hasan.