Zahir Raihan's birth anniversary celebrated

To celebrate the 73rd birth anniversary of the film legend Zahir Raihan , Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) and fortnightly entertainment magazine Anando Alo jointly organised a programme at the Experimental Theatre Stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 5. According to the family sources, filmmaker-litterateur-Freedom Fighter and journalist Zahir Raihan was born on August 5, 1935 at Majupur under Feni district. Information Secretary Jamil Osman was the chief guest while eminent playwright Syed Shamsul Haq and Raihan's sibling Shahenshah Begum attended the programme as special guests. Afzal Chowdhury, who was the cinematographer of most of Raihan's films, and popular cine-journalist Chinmoy Mutsuddi were other discussants at the programme. Rezanur Rahman, the editor of Ananda Alo, delivered welcome speech. The discussion was presided over by A.N.M. Badrul Amin, managing director of BFDC.Discussants recalled the remarkable contribution of Zahir Raihan in our culture as well as his direct involvement in the Language Movement (1952) and Liberation War (1971). The speakers further focused on Raihan's compassion for the welfare of the oppressed all over the world.Raihan's younger sister Shahenshah Begum expressed her opinion that Zahir Raihan is not getting his due respect in Bangladesh. She also announced that her son is making a documentary on Zahir Raihan. The discussion was followed by screening of clips from Raihan's documentary Stop Genocide, featuring the brutality of the Pakistani military during the Liberation War. Moreover, clips from his incomplete English movie Let There be Light, in which he wanted to focus on the struggle of the oppressed in every corner of the globe, was screened.Clips from an upcoming documentary on Zahir Raihan, by his nephew Sabbir Ahmed Shuvro, was also screened.