‘We aim to uphold the cultural developments of Bangladesh’

DHAKA: Ekushey Television`s regular literary discussion programme `Ichchhe Ghuri``s anchor and designer and also country`s one of the noted litterateurs Mujtoba Ahmed Murshed talked to banglanews24.com on different aspect of the programme.

Robab Rosan: Would you tell us something about the programme `Ichchhe Ghuri`?

Mujtoba Ahmed Murshed: Well, `Ichchhe Ghuri` is a progrmme that features literary discussions regarding the cultural heritage of Bangladesh, Through the programme, which is aired at 5:25pm every Monday and be rerun at 4:30am the next day, we aim to uphold the cultural development of the country.

Produced by Masudul Hasan Roni, and designed and anchored by me, the programme highlights the works of both prominent and promising artists, performers, filmmakers, litterateurs and others who are involved in creative works in the country.

RR: How and when did not design the programme?

MAM: I had a plan of designing this kind of programme. As the electronic medium is now more powerful than other media in our country, I planned to use the medium as a tool to inform the audience about the art and cultural history of Bangladesh.

I planned for the television programme which would introduce the works of the artists and litterateurs of Bangladesh mainly to the younger generation. The programme would also aim to inspire the people of the younger generation.

I had talked with some satellite channels. At last, Ekushey Television took initiatives to air it. Since February last the programme has been airing on ETV. I thank the television authorities.

RR: What did you experience in materialising the programme?

MAM: I feel happy that I have been getting cooperation from everywhere. The producer of the programme ‘Ichchhe Ghuri’ Masudul Hasan Roni is also every enthusiast about the cultural history of Bangladesh.

In the earlier episodes, we used to invite two guests but we felt that the 20-minute programme was not sufficient to discuss about the works of guests as well as the other cultural issues.

Later, we brought some changes in designing the programme.

Now, we invite one guest. But we also feel a shortage of time because we always have many issues to discuss.

RR: Who were the guests in the previous episodes of your programme?

MAM: We had invited professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury, poet Mahadeb Saha, professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, novelist Selina Hossain, researcher Dr Masuduzzanam, filmmaker Amzad Hossain and painter Monirul Islam, among others, in the previous episodes.

We also invited poet Farid Kabir, poet Obayed Akash, artist Nadia Andaleeb Preema, among others, from the younger generations,

RR: The guests who joined the programme live in Dhaka city. Do you have any plans to invite the persons who practise arts and literature living outside Dhaka?

MAM: Yes, we also have plans to invite guests from different parts of the country. We also want to present the works of artists and litterateurs who live outside Dhaka to the audience.

RR: Who will be the guest in today`s episode?

MAM: Country`s one of the eminent litterateur Haripada Dutta will be the guest of `Ichchhe Ghuri` today`s episode. He is considered as one of the strong storytellers in Bangla literature of this time.

Unfortunately, Dutta had left his motherland Bangladesh on May 30 to India to escape from the acute poverty. This man who devoted his life in literary works could not maintain even the cost of his medical treatment.

The audience will get more information about Dutta in our programme. Hope they will watch it.

RR: Thank you for your interview to banglanews24.com.

MAM: Thank you and I also thank banglanews24.com.

BDST: 0138 HRS, JUN 25, 2012
Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor